I have been scuba certified since I was 17 and have wanted a dive buddy since then. Getting married, I have been trying to convince Kai to be that buddy.
This seemed like a good opportunity – the water around us is warm and there is a dive shop nearby offering discover diving – a short, safe, excursion to see if this is something you are actually interested in.
So, this is how we found ourselves in a tiny car, riding passenger to a dive instructor rocketing over sand dunes in search of a shipwreck dive spot.
We got to the dive spot and stared out over the waves – the wind was blowing enough to whip up some whitecaps on what, according to our guide, is normally calm waters. This was my first time diving with this size of waves, so I was a bit nervous, but knew that is soon as we got under the surface it would be calmer. I watched as the dive instructor walked Kai through the equipment, exercises, and hand signals.
Finally, we were ready to go in. It was a rough start, trying to put fins on in the rolling surf, but once we were under and away the water calmed below the surface. Breathing steadily, and pushing against the current we finally came upon the ship. Rusted metal that has become home to corals, fish and graffiti on the surface.
I got to watch as Kai kicked around like an otter, exploring fish, ship, seaweed, and corals.
That’s the funny thing about joy – it demands to be shared, but with the people closest to us.
Every time you get good news, you are probably excited to tell…somebody. Not everybody, but that one specific person that has shared in your life enough that you want them to be a part of this too.
I have seen this over and over again. When my nephew got his soccer medal, the first thing he did? Run over and share it with his parents.
Scholarship? Tell your parents. Promotion? Work besties.
People have literally set things on fire because they were so excited to reveal their baby’s gender with friends and family.
There is something so precious about this, the joy that is shared. People sharing their happiness, hobbies, passion, and excitement. If someone shares this with you, you should be honored. You should hold it in high regard like a delicate flower. It is a precious thing and such a gift.
I am the first to admit, I don’t always do this. Sometimes Kai will share something with me and I don’t realize how precious it is until I have said something dumb. But, I think this is a good thing to work towards.
Becoming a person that the people I care about want to share their joys with. Becoming a person that is a comfort in the hard times, and the person that cheers the loudest during the good times.
Luckily, I shared this joy and Kai loved it so much. Lord willing and the chickens come home, we can go diving again! Now I just need to convince him to get certified in the 40 Degree Fahrenheit water back home…
A small note – my doctor’s said they don’t have any proof that scuba diving would be bad for me but their official recommendation was to not go diving to reduce any risks associated with the water pressure at depth. I chose to go and stay above 10 foot depth. I would not recommend this, it is always better to follow the advice of good doctors.