I sat on the raft shivering, my arms wrapped tight around my legs. I was a scrawny little ten-year-old, and the icy water of early June had left me breathless. But the swim had been worth it.

I was in my own little world on that raft. I loved staring at the water’s glittering surface as the sun reflected like little diamonds off the ripples. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore.

But my solitude was soon interrupted by voices across the water. Water dripped down my eyes onto my blue lips as I squinted to try to see the scene unfolding.

A lady had walked out onto the pier. She was wearing a massive, floppy white hat, sunglasses, and a floral caftan that swirled around her ankles in the breeze. I rudely stared, trying to figure out if she was a movie star. She was waving her arms in exasperation at a stout little girl with frizzy blond hair and glasses. I couldn’t make out what she was saying, but the girl nervously shook her head “no” at this flamboyant woman, refusing whatever it was she wanted her to do.

They both kept looking in my direction, and I slowly realized that this exchange had something to do with me. The woman nudged the girl forward while the girl adamantly shook her head. And suddenly, the lady flashed me an imploring smile.

“Hello! Hi there! Excuse me!”

I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure what to say.

So she continued, “This is Julie! Can she play with you?”

*** I am honored to be guest posting at (in)courage today …  join me there to read what happened next. 

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