My favorite fishy!

Been a lot of sadness around here recently:

-Andy lost his aunt, uncle and cousin within the past month.

-Aaron's passing.

-The owners of my local dive shop that I go to crashed their plane into the ob/gyn office that Ana and I visit every week...their two sons were on board as well and all four died.

Here is a 5 minute video of happiness and love and promise and potential...of one of the next generation of water lovers enjoying life and pushing her limits and honing her skills.

I have taught Valentina how to be comfortable and pretty safe in the water, but have not taught her any real strokes.

This is a clip from her first swim lesson yesterday...at 5 years old she is by far the youngest one in her group (determined by a quick skills test: swimming across the pool while the instructor watches).

I think she is holding her own very well, and am really proud of her...



My little fishy! 

Sincerely,

Jim

By this time next year she'll be swimming like a fish!    Thanks for sharing the video clip Jim.

Freaking adorable Jim!

I gave my oldest daughter a choice this summer between soccer and swimming lessons and she chose soccer.  After watching the video with her, she is already looking forward to next year's swimming.

Thanks for sharing Jm. One day you will turn around and wonder where did all the time go. You are a great Dad and a great human. Thanks

congratulations  Jim,   kids grow too fast,  she will out swim you  in a blink of an eye. enjoy every minute

Awesome jim!

Andy, dude i had no idea so sorry bro! If ya need a friend im here for ya. Shit!

WTF Jim I hope you dont mean Dede and her family from Auqua Safaris? I havent been watching the news

WTF Jim I hope you dont mean Dede and her family from Auqua Safaris? I havent been watching the news

Yeah, totally tragic. July 2011 is not going particularly well in the water community.

so Jim, thank YOU for keeping the spirit and faith going. So often we can get bogged down by the sadness of events such as we have seen, and we can forget the instances (like your vid of Valentina) that make these crazy things called "our lives" worth it.

Very cool Jim.  My oldest (4) is just finishing up his swim lessons for the summer, my youngest (2) just stands at the edge of the pool with his googles on, watching big brother and waiting for his turn. 

She is such a little cutie Jim!! Thanks for sharing your little ray of sunshine with the rest of us.

-FF

You better be saving up for her dive gear , because the next thing you know; she'll be out dive and fishing you! .  Don't worry, youll love it!

Jim  LOVE EVERY MINUTE you have with that precious gift. I wasnt around that much after the wife and I divorced but I was blessed with a second chance in getting back in touch with my two girls. They are both in their late thirties and one has a family of her own. Just HUG them and let them know you love them no matter what. I will get off my soap box now and go blow my nose after hearing that song about Butterfly Kisses. That was the music for our dance after my youngest daughter was married.   Chuck

That's cool Jim.  Love that you are getting her water comp started early.  She'll be butterflying in no time 

This week seems to be starting kind of sucky.  We need more positive vibes to turn it around!

I almost can't watch. I never believed it. But the bond between a dad and daughter is so amazing. I am sure I will feel the same as my boy gets older. But hearing my little girl say "daddy, can we cuddle on the couch" can truly make a shitty day great. For those that are having a hard time...hang in there!

The tune rocked dude...haven't heard it for a long time.......and so does your little girl.... thx bro...

Beautiful, Jim.  Thanks for sharing that and for doing all the things you do to be a positive force in our lives.