PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Pool Time
Each Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. they gathered in the pool. All ages, genders, sizes, cultures. Each Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. their teacher sat on the raised platform and began to speak. First came weekly check-ins by each and supportive responses from all. Then came the lecture. Then the laps.
They were all here for one reason and it wasn’t to learn how to swim. They each had watched a loved one die in the water and were unable to prevent it. Even the teacher/therapist had lost someone.
They came to the pool to grieve – and to heal.
Tao Talk 
Oh this sounds like hard way to confront your past… but maybe facing the water that killed a loved one is the only way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to do it with others who have watched, helpless, as their loved one was killed. I think you are right.
LikeLike
nice share
LikeLike
That sounds like tough love to me, and possibly dangerous
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not meant as tough love. Each person chooses to be there, as they have not been able to get over their grief. It’s a grief/loss/support group, led by a trained therapist.
LikeLike
It may be a good idea
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story, which is also a reality in at least one place I know. People choose when it is time to join. They also choose what they can or cannot tolerate (lap pool, or just stand in the shallows, etc.). Not everyone finds it healing. For those who do, it can be profound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:) Thank you, Na’ama. I’ve seen miracles happen in support groups like this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An interesting way to confront a tragedy. Like all these things it will work for some and not for others, the important thing is to try. Nice one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heart-wrenching. I suppose whatever it takes to heal the wounds is a valid approach.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, JoHawk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know that I would choose this method to heal but if it works for some, then, hey… more power to them!
Well done, Jade.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Dale :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s so sad! Well done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Susan.
LikeLike
A great place to heal, but given the nature of the deaths I’m guessing it wouldn’t work for everyone in that position.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, it wouldn’t work for everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure this would work for some, but for others, it would simply reignite memories and set them back still further. An interesting take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Processing trauma is a sensitive matter for sure. You have to know what you’re doing or it could harm, you’re right. Thanks for reading and commenting, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting idea. Plenty of hidden tears, I bet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for that insight about the tears.
LikeLike
A good way to comfort each other in group, share pain and heal. Good that they are making the lap. If they do not know how to swim, they may not be able to save another person drowning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
LikeLike
A good story, Jade. That would be great group therapy. Well written. —- Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Suzanne.
LikeLike
Dear Jade,
I think it’s an innovative way to find healing. Each heals in their own time. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rochelle. Your comment and thoughts are appreciated.
LikeLike
That’s a wonderful idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whao, you’ve taken the fun out of swimming. The turn in your story hit hard and was unexpected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really hoping that with healing that one day some of them might get back to a place where they can at least look at the water without grief and sorrow, and yes, maybe even enjoyment in it again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Facing our fears is the only way to overcome them I feel. The participants in your story are supported to step into the water as they’re ready. The pool here could be a metaphor for overcoming fears, trauma or grief of any kind. Nicely shown.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Margaret, I appreciate your seeing that here :) Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone has a different way to heal and move past trauma. I can imagine this would work for some, especially for those who have fear of the water because of their loss. Your story is very well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Brenda.
LikeLike
Nicely done. The only way forward is to face your fears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Subroto.
LikeLike
Gosh. Heartbreaking reason. Very will done
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurie.
LikeLike