What it's really all about

Eric, now 13, in Indonesia

60ºF in Ohio on a December day?  What a great opportunity to take advantage of the clear waters and great viz that come only with (in this state) fifty degree water.  So, a few days ago, I sent out a general email to my list of scuba buddies and past students in an attempt to find a partner willing to dive the NW Ohio quarries on December 1st.

Having a few replies of "brrrrr" & others cursing me and my DUI drysuit, I had little luck.  However, I did get a short, and in the end, inspiring letter  from a parent of two boys--then 11 yrs. old--who I certified as junior open water divers two years ago.  The few lines mentioned that the boys now have approximately 50 dives under their belts including Curacao, Belize, and 23 dives in Indonesia, and that they were both doing well.

     Doing well?  23 dives in Indonesia??  My first reaction was what the *#@&%$!!*.   Belize, Curacao, Indonesia at age 13?  These are dive Meccas to which even some of the most experienced divers have not traveled.  But after the moment of disbelief and, I must admit, jealousy diminished, I had a different feeling.  Wow!  How awesome!  Awesome that they have parents who enrolled them into an open water scuba diving class.  Awesome that these barely-teenage-boys have had the educational experience of travel, thanks to their parents.  Awesome that they have had the opportunity to visit and dive in the waters of the great oceans and seas that cover our planet.  Awesome that at such a young age, they are seeing sites that will, no doubt, shape & influence them as they become adults.  And, awesome that I had just a small part in helping them to achieve certification at age 11 so that they could know more about the other 70-75% of our Earth.  Awesome!