When we are born, we start in the kiddie pool. We wade around through elementary school/primary amidst toys while our parents watch over us and occasionally splash around in there with us.
As we mature we venture into the shallow end of the pool. Our family is all around us, as well as our friends. We play through high school, carefully shielded from the entirety of the pool around us. We realize there is more to the pool than where we are, but its too big to really understand.
Just to interject, I can't really complete the analogy, because I only can relate my feelings up until this point in my life.
Anyway, as we graduate high school, we climb out of the shallow end and wander towards the diving board. Our parents have yet to realize we have wandered off. Suddenly, we find ourselves poised on the end of the diving board, looking out at the pool, finally seeing everything for the first time. We find ourselves separated from our parents, poised over the deepest and scariest end of the pool. Its something we have to do alone, and the decisions we make on that diving board will affect the rest of our lives.
I feel like I'm at the end of that diving board, finally seeing my life for the first time. My mission, marriage, a career, my education, my family, all lays in front of me and for the first time I'm rushing to meet it. In the shallow end, we wade around without a grasp of what lies in front of us. Now, life is staring us hard in the face, and we have to dive.
Yep, that's my analogy. Enjoy.
hey! that's a really good analogy. there's a point in almost everyone's life where they're standing at the end of everything familiar, headed for the unknown. but just remember that when you jump off, we'll all be standing on the sides of the pool clapping and cheering you on. and from time to time, you'll find that one or the other of us jumps in a swims a little with you--if only for a few minutes. and when you look back you'll realize you weren't nearly as alone as you thought you were.
sure love you!
Wow, Adam! That was very insightful. In a few shorts paragraphs, you brought into focus different stages of life and so many thoughts and feelings. It's scary sometimes to think about all the decisions and things that are ahead, but if we continually allow Heavenly Father to direct our paths and live righteously, it will work out for our good.
Sure enjoyed our skype party tonight!
I am so thankful to be part of such a wonderful family! You guys are the best!
I like Kristen's thoughts about still swimming along together. It's nice to know that we are not alone, that we are there for one another - always loving and supporting each other, rejoicing together through our joys and triumphs and sorrowing with each other over disappointments and trials, but always being concerned and there for each other, always and forever family!
I don't find it very convincing seeing as I'm a swimmer and I've been going off the diving board since I was three so...but I do like the idea of life being like a pool! love that aspect, but it could use a little revising.