#120 First Memory

by Marcia Smart

Mr. Sun feels good. Mommy says my skin looks like my breakfast toast. That’s Funny. Hi Mommy. Hi Daddy. See me filling my bucket with sand? OOOO, the water tickles my toes. Mr. Sun, you look silly. You’re all gray and blue now. Why are you so far away? What are those things? Hello fishies. Wheee, I’m making a somersault. Upside down I go. “Where’s Darcy? Where’s my baby? She was just here a minute ago.” Here, Mommy. Here I am. Can’t you see me? Down, down, I go. It’s dark here. Where’s Mommy? Goodbye fishies. I can’t play anymore. Down, down, I go. It’s black. I can’t see. Goodbye, Mommy. Goodbye, Daddy. I’m going to sleep now. “There, there she is, floating on the water!” If that’s you, Mommy, I can’t hear you now.

Strong hands pulling my leg. Up, up I go. Lying flat. Sand in my face, in my hair, in my nose. Strong hands lifting my arms up and down - pressing, pressing hard on my back. “MOVE—GET OUT OF MY WAY!” Don’t scream, Mommy. It’s okay. Different hands pulling my ankles. Up, upside down I go. Hands pounding, pounding hard on the middle of my back. Hard to breathe. Water coming out of my ears, my nose, my mouth. Crying. I hear crying. Who’s crying? Mommy? Me? Water’s all gone now. Hello, Mommy. Hello, Daddy. I’m back.