Angle In The Water

Everything was so quiet, I could hear muffled noises above me; all I could see was a cascade of blue water. I was scared, but yet felt so peaceful at the same time, and I just knew my dad would come save me, when all of a sudden a woman dressed in all white held my hand.



Today was going to be the best day of my life. Earlier this morning my parents woke my sister and I up with surprising news. The Collin family was going on their first family trip! The farthest trip we’ve ever been on as a family was my grandparent’s house in Davenport, Iowa. Now we’re flying on a plane to get to Florida so that we can sail on the Disney Cruise ship. I couldn’t wait to meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy! I watch them every morning right before I go to preschool, and have always dreamt of meeting them in real life. My mom told me there were so many things to do on the cruise. We would be able to swim in the big pools, play shuffle board and even see a couple shows.


The plane landed, and my excitement started to heat up just like the hot temperatures outside. As soon as we got our luggage and the first wave of sunlight hit my skin, my mother took out the sunscreen and smothered me in it, worried that I would get burnt from the sun.

Sooner than I could blink my eyes, I was taking my first steps on to the Disney Cruise ship. I’ve never seen so many people in one place at one time. Although no one was pushing and shoving, I felt like there were people and suitcases all around me where everyone’s main goal was to get to their cabins. Are room was located on the Goofy level so that meant we had to go up a level to find our room. My mom was holding my sisters hand and my dad was balancing three suitcases. He would periodically turn and yell at me to hurry up and start paying attention to my surroundings. But I couldn’t help it I had never seen anything like it. The smells of the culinary foods were so interesting and one floor below was the biggest pool I had ever seen! With five slides, a sprinkler, and a wave pool all in one. The water sparkled as the sun hit it, and it looked so cool and inviting. I couldn’t believe that no one was in it. I knew my parents didn’t need me right now and I was sure that they wouldn’t miss me if I quickly dipped my toe in the cool refreshing water. I knew I could be back before they even knew I was gone.

I quickly scampered down the staircase leading down to the pool, as if the pool was calling my name. I was running on the pool deck and at just about the edge of the pool where I was going to plunge my foot in the cold water, when all of a sudden my other foot gave out from underneath me. I found myself submerged into the crisp blue water and felt myself sinking deeper and deeper to the bottom of the pool. I tried to scream for help but found that no noise came out, and instead a rush of water entered my mouth. My body than became oddly calm and I just knew my parents would come find me. Surely they would know I was not with them right now. So I decided to wait for my rescue.

All of a sudden a women appeared who was all dressed in white. She turned to me and smiled and stretched out her hand to mine. I can’t quite explain it, but once I felt her touch I knew she was there to take care of me and that all would be okay. I closed my eyes with a sense of peace and then everything went black, very, very black.

The blackness started to fade from my eyes as I slowly blinked and saw hazy images in the room. I couldn’t remember what exactly happened, but I knew that something wasn’t quite right. It took so much energy to just open up my eyes, and no matter how hard I tried I was unable to move. I could tell my parents were in the room because I could hear their voices, but as I called out to them no sound came out. All of a sudden I felt a warm presence and saw the lady in white who I now know was an angle in the water. She touched my hand and told me everything would be all right, she told me I would have to fight to recover, but she knew I could do it with the support of my family, her help and Gods love.

I heard my mother and father talking to the doctor I couldn’t see, as it was too hard to open my eyes it sounded like my mother was crying, and my dad was talking on the phone saying “ He is pretty tired, it has been a rough battle today for Jax. His fever has risen back up to 99.5, so we had to put ice packs by his side. The doctors then told us that Jax might have an infection in his left lung, so he put him on the antibiotic to start fight the infection along with seizure medication. I wonder whom dad was talking to.
The next few days were a blur I could heard slight things coming from my parents and sister and I was so happy they were there, but I was to tired to say hello. My fever eventually got back to normal and the medication must of helped the infection because I remember my mother whispering in my ear good job Jax good job my brave solider your getting better now, I promise.

As soon as my dad was done talking a big lady entered the room, I could feel her walking as each one of her steps made my bed tremble. I heard my parents welcome this woman by saying “hello.” The lady responded and said,

“Come on Jax now that you’re feeling better, you need to get those muscles moving again.”

I felt the nurse put her arms underneath my body and lift me off the bed. She placed me on a special chair and strapped me in so that I wouldn’t fall out. The wheels began to spin, as I was leaving the room. They brought me into an area that looked really fun! There were balls, and so many colorful objects! Then I heard the large lady say,

“ Welcome to the physical therapy room Jax. I will need your help today, to try and do what I’m asking you to do.”

I didn’t know how long I was in that room, but I was tired out. I was happy when my mom kissed my cheek and said,

“Good job Jax, now lets go back and rest.”

Once I was placed comfortably in my bed, I heard my mom talking over the phone, and she seemed so happy. I heard her say,

“He did so well today! When he was swinging on my lap during Physical therapy, he sporadically lifted his neck entirely by himself, three times! The therapist and I were so excited we began cheering him on. The therapist we able to see that the range of motion and flexibility were much better than they expected, and in fact they thought he would be able to come home soon!”

Later that night my dad came into my room, and I felt like a hero. He kept hugging and kissing me and than told me how proud he was of me. He couldn’t wait until I could come home! Even my sister Emma came into the room. She was holding a big balloon and a huge teddy bear with a “great job” on the teddy bears shirt. I couldn’t reach out and grab it, but Emma carefully placed it by my side and said,

“Love you Jax, I hope you get better soon”

The next three weeks were filled with more and more therapy. Some days were better than others but most days I could feel myself growing stronger. I still can’t walk on my own, or talk real good, but I am able to move my head, my hands and smile.

My biggest smile came the following week. After therapy the doctor came in and told my parents how pleased he was with my progress, and that I would be able to go home at the end of the week.

My excitement was bursting out of every end of me. The week was coming to an end and I could just imagine the smell the freshly baked cookies my mom made every Friday night and I could hear the sound of the cars zipping past my driveway. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow morning, because I was going home. When my eyes began to doze off, the lady in all white showed herself and said,

“You may not see me again Jax but I am always with you.”

For a second I was sad that I wouldn’t see her again, but then I smiled for a moment and realized how lucky I was to have an angel in the water.