Swimming and Lessons

by ST, about the 1970s or so

     We took swimming lessons as children--Mom thought it essential for everyone to know how to swim, no matter if they live near bodies of water or not.  We did the "jelly fish" so much I might have turned into one, but at last they moved me up to the next class.  This, I was not sure, was any better.  The teacher insisted we all be in the water waiting when she came.  There were some smart-alecks that would come and try to undo one's handhold upon the edge.  Our feet were nowhere near touching the bottom.  This was in the big pool, the "jelly-fish" were in the little pool.  After awhile we learned better than to do what the teacher said, or we were in trouble.  But then the teacher was mad.  We told her about our dilemma and she got after the boys, but that didn't solve the problem.  On the one hand a scolding, on the other, drowning.  We chose the scolding.
     As kids we always wanted to go swimming.  It was a little ridiculous, since we couldn't even let go of the edge of the pool, or we were in over our heads.  Just the same, we always wanted to go.
     Once as I was venturing out a little and coming back, I didn't make it to within reach of the edge.  I sank, but not deep enough to get a good thrust off the bottom.  Somehow I managed to get to the top, sorta, and tried to call for help.  I gurgled something out and went down again.  On my way slowly down I remembered that one was supposed to go down thrice, and that was "it".  I sincerely hoped someone would come to my rescue before "it".  I came up again, inhaled what seemed like more water than air, and went down again.
     Now perhaps the reader cannot appreciate the crisis, knowing I obviously survived, or you wouldn't be reading this.  However, I can assure you it was truly distressing at the time.  I know the feeling  of needing a breath so badly that you don't care what it is you inhale, just so you can fill your lungs with something.
     With my "last" chance, I strained to submerge myself far enough so as to get the best push off the bottom possible.  The push-off wasn't as good as I'd hoped for;  I did get up to the top and again gurgled for help, but couldn't get my sister's attention.  I did not want to go down again, but I had no choice.
     I don't remember how many times I went up and down, but I didn't know how long I could keep it up.  It took such an effort to get myself down enough to push off the bottom, then to get that push forceful enough to struggle back up to the air before I inhaled!
     At last a girl next to my sister saw me and pulled me back to the edge of the pool.  I was rather upset that no one noticed me sooner, especially my sister and the lifeguard.  I wondered what good that life guard was, when he didn't even notice someone in trouble.  That pool was really crowded.  Buses have capacities, elevators have capacities, bridges have capacities, even freezers have capacities.  All kinds of things have capacities, but not swimming pools or life guards.  It has really made me wonder how many kids could have drowned, and no one notice.

Note:  pools now have capacities posted, too.

Whenever I Think of the Pioneers

by Susan Ternyey, 1996 (revised 2022)

     With awe I ponder the fortitude of those valiant pioneers of our past.  I used to feel I could never measure up to "the heritage they left us."  (Hymn, "Firm as the Mountains Around Us")
     But one day as I lay in a hospital bed, paralyzed from the hips down after an automobile accident--and being paralyzed was still so strange, overwhelming and new to me--I realized that we handle what life hands to us because we have no choice--or rather, the alternative (checking out of life:  mentally, emotionally, or physically) would be even worse!  I didn't want to spend my life miserable.
     The Lord carried me through those early weeks (and still does, though not as obviously) with the assurance that this is something I can handle.  I didn't have to waste life and energy wondering "Why me?" or "If only . . ."  I awoke each morning with a hymn in my heart and mind.  "Why me?"  Why should it always be someone else?  "If only" is quicksand, it can swallow you up in wallowing.
     When at times I did wish I could check out of life, I would remind myself, "in 6 months this won't seem so bad.  I will have climbed over the worst of it."  And it was true.  It is now 8 (34) years hence, I have learned a lot, and I am happy.  Not everything in my life is as I would have it--I still face the usual troubles and traumas of life.  From time to time I am faced with soul-wrenching anguish for things I wish I could change.  But surely if I can conquer this physical disability, with God's help, I can make it to "the promised land":  Life Everlasting, without limitations.
     Gratefully, others have gone before me, and pioneered accessibility.  Before the accident, I never knew how vital that was.  Gratefully, my ancestors went before me, and with their lives forged a trail for me to follow.  My mother said she was sure she could not have made it across the plains with the pioneers--yet at 70 years old, with balance issues, she was pushing her "handcart" (wheelbarrow full of dirt) to create a garden from barrenness.
     Our forefathers and mothers who crossed the plains of the American west, the rugged mountains, and made the desert "blossom as a rose" were just like you and me.  They faced what was before them daily and struggled with it, sometimes heroically, sometimes not.  But they kept up the struggle, and at last found "the place which God for us prepared, far away" in Eternity.
     If to be a pioneer you must be the first to forge a new trail, a new life, tame a wilderness, remember that the experiences you have can help others who see what you have or are accomplishing and conquering.  And when you feel discouragement creeping upon you, sing to yourself or aloud:

Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear,
But with joy [get on] your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be [given as you need it].
'Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell . . .

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; [we'll be all right].
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
[Get yourself together], fresh courage take
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell--
All is well!  All is well!
--Hymn, "Come, Come Ye Saints"

Who is God, that I should Obey His Voice?

or, “Hold to the Rod, The Iron Rod”

by ST

We have outgrown God--
Like a spoiled child despising the rod--
Those before us
Are welcome to its correction:
We question its justice,
Deny any motive of affection.
We scorn its strictness
As a cover for our revels,
And when we get hurt
We blame it for our tears--
We think that we have outgrown God.

An Appeal

by ST

America, wake up!
Let go this dream of a carefree childhood--
You forget care that then wrinkled you brow.
You had all to cope with that so young a one could--
By comparison small indeed with what you face now--
Now you have grown up, and so have your troubles.
Life is not a summer spent wading, splashing in streams,
Running through fields, flying kites, blowing bubbles in the breeze;
You can't escape reality, even its hum-drum, in dreams.
Dreams delude with a rose-tinted past,
Or shade your today that you can't see it clearly;
The good of a dream is to prescribe, that at last
A more perfect vision will correct an outlook now dreary:
Dreary as life is, with its blahs and double blahs.
This fantasy will only make things worse;
Romanticizing never mended any flaws,
And someday, not distant, this glass bubble will burst.

America, wake up!
Open your sleep-filled eyes.
Troubles are here, they are now,
They stare you in the face.
They do not flee from thee,
Nor can ye flee from them.
You will run into a wall
And smash your haughty nose
If you walk with your eyes thus closed.
Wake up, America.

written in the late 1970s

Betrothal

by ST
Why should I become to you betrothed?
What great treasure does your love unfold,
And lay upon my lap?
This could all be just mishap.
But then, why is my heart so tangled up with yours?
As though your love my love adores--
And seeks more assurance, and more assurance finds,
And each new circle more strongly binds
Our love.
Two turtledoves? (No)
I think to you I will become betrothed,
And wait to see what eventually may unfold.
Lay hour head upon my lap,
Close your eyes, and dream, and nap.
And then, as my heart is so tangled up with yours,
As though your love my love adores--
And seeks more assurance, and more assurance binds--
Each new circle will more strongly find
Our love.

Stars in My Eyes

by ST
. . . we met . . .
O how the heavens set in such a blush!
No longer the mockingbird, but the peaceful dove
     sent forth its little coo:
At last, the perfect melody in that sweet birdsong--
It floated over me, tickled my ear 'til I laughed.
I walked back to where the castle stood,
For I had nearly turned from that ruin
     and all its romance.
And now I shall gaze with different tears
     through the glittering moonless night.
for Sal

Happy Ever After

by ST
Five years today we have been wed,
Five years we've shared the kitchen, bath, and bed,
Five years of fifty or sixty at most--
The most most couples may hope--
But what of the After, the Happily Ever?
Why should cruel death our promises sever?
Then let us with God, our Witness and Juris,
Re-covenant that covenant covenanted between us,
And include now infinity, and forever onward,
And include now infinity, and forever onward.
for Dave & Alice on their 5th anniversary

Wed Anew

by ST

"With this ring I thee wed . . ."
Solemn words that I once said--
And I meant them, and I do--
But there were things left yet unmentioned.
So now we vow our vows anew
With these new vows enduring, comprehensive;
Acquainted more with Life, Myself, and You . . .
Familiar, conversant--perceiving
What mornings, and evenings, and everydays bring:
Monotony, frustration, sorrow--and Joy!
Content am I to pledge myself
Constant, ceaseless, ever yours--and you to be
My Friend, Companion, Lover . . . now and through Eternity.
written for Dave & Alice 5th anniversary and sealing

Everlasting Love

by ST

May God bless you in your life's new venture;
May your interest and living be increased.
May you with joy live in God's indenture--
May He continue for Ever your lease
To have and hold, as hand in hand
You search, invent, and find content--
While Life's circle completes its band
And through Infinity extends.
May God bless you, keep you, and increase you;
May He embrace you, and you embrace Him.
May His Spirit enlighten and infuse
Your Home and Hearts, and overflow the rims
Of everlasting Love.
for Barbara on her engagement