Please Take a Moment....

Please take a moment to   * Count your Blessings.

Please take a moment to  * Hug your Children.

Please take a moment to * Tell someone you love them.

Seriously - 

Please take a moment to * to say a prayer for someone you care about.

Please take a moment to * Compliment a stranger.

Please take a moment to * Realize all the good things one person can do in a day.

If you didn't know, I am one of the managers of the Rush City Aquatic Center. My kids love "Daddy's Pool" and I appreciate the money, put in my hours and relish in the time our family can be together there whether I'm working or not. 

It's a big place. 210,000+ gallons of water... a tall "curly" slide... diving board and drop slide...kiddie pool with Zero Depth entry and all the "bells and whistles".

The Rush City Pool has been open for 13 years. I have worked there for 6 of those years now. Yesterday, we had our first serious emergency. An unattended, 2 year old girl went into the pool in 3'9" of water on the east end of our lap swim area. It's unknown how long she was under water but a family member pulled her out. Our Emergency Response was initiated by me blowing the 3 sharp whistle blasts that I had hoped I wouldn't ever have to do. I was the 1st staff member to the child and with the help of some wonderful people that God put in the right place at the right time, we were able to keep the little girl conscious and breathing on her own while she vomited multiple times. 911 was called. EMTs and Sheriff's Deputies responded. One of the "good Samaritans" that was at the pool was a North Branch Firefighter. - I won't go into any more details other than - as far as I know now... the Child is O.K. She was squirming and crying in her father's arms when I turned everything over to emergency personnel.

The young staff at "Daddy's Pool" did their jobs and did them as well as can be expected. Their lives are forever affected by what we endured together. Michele and the kids were at the pool as I was working a long Saturday shift. As a matter of fact, I was watching Tyler play with Logan in the kiddie pool just 20 feet from where the little girl went in - perhaps one of the reasons I was able to respond so quickly. I truly saw God's work yesterday. I have tears in my eyes as I type this - witness to the awesome power of good people doing good things. 

The Kirby Krew stayed up past the little one's bed times last night, roasting marshmallows and making some of the best S'mores a fella ever tasted. I couldn't stay in bed any longer as I've got the whole scenario replaying in my mind - however I just heard the most wonderful sound in the world..... besides the birds calling in a beautiful Sunday morning outside my window, I hear the scampering of tiny feet upstairs. Emma and Logan are awake and playing together quietly..... Please let me take a Moment.