We knew the water would be runoff water still, making it very cold, so we didn't bring life jackets. We decided we'd just play in the sand and wade in the water near the shore.
Ashtyn and her cousin got in the water and Ashtyn immediately started deeper into the water towards the dock. She had forgotten she didn't know how to swim without a life jacket.
Ben and I were watching and started telling her to turn around. She did so, but she was panicked and slipped and started floundering in the water.
At this point, we had a lot of adults watching, but none had really registered what had happened. As soon as Ashtyn's head went under the first time, I was in the water. I reached her very quickly, got her out of the water, dried her off and calmed her down (it was very scary for her), and got her a piece of pizza.
I hadn't taken my shirt and shorts off (my swimsuit was underneath) yet. I had already told Ben that I was NOT going to get in the water, but I don't remember how cold the water felt. My adrenaline was high and I was running on instinct.
We had a lot of other adults there with us and they told me they were ready to jump in after her as well, they just hadn't processed yet. For me, I didn't process. I didn't hesitate. I didn't think about it. I just jumped in. What I did wasn't dangerous or even all that inconvenient, but to me, it is a testament to me of a mother's love.
I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with children and given me this deep-rooted love for them. I'm so grateful to know that He loves me and my children with that same type of love, only in a perfect sense. Being a mother has given me a better glimpse into how our Heavenly Father feels about us.
