I’m so glad Tillie finally got around to commenting in the Wonderful World of Whimsies, because I’ve had something else I’ve wanted to say for a long time, but I didn’t feel right hogging this new category. But now, we’ve each had a chance to say something, so it can be my turn again!
As you can see on the left, I have found a beautiful Whimsie who is all ready to take a dip in the pool. I know it’s the middle of Winter, and in fact we’re in the middle of the Winter Olympics, so swimming in a pool is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind, unless you’re taking a vacation in Florida, but swimming pools are always in the back of my mind, whether I want them to be or not.
As you know, I was once almost drowned in a pool, by my Person’s extremely bad brother. I spent way too much time in that pool, and it was almost the end of me. But I survived. Because I am a Survivor! Only, in the back of my mind, it’s always there, I always remember, and it always makes me feel a little sick and sad when I think about it.
So when I find a picture like this, of a Whimsie who could very well be my long-lost sister, and I see her looking so pretty and healthy in such a cute little purple swimsuit, it really brings up a lot of mixed emotions for me. On the one hand, I want to look away and forget everything about swimming pools and water. But on the other hand, I am completely drawn in and fascinated by this image of a Whimsie (who really does look so much like ME) in a swimsuit, ready to take a dip in the pool, and in some way I am…I don’t know…encouraged? Inspired?
I freely admit I have a fear of water. It’s not without cause, but the fact remains, taking a dip in a pool is the last thing I could see myself ever wanting to do. But I am a survivor…and I would also like to be an OVERCOMER. When I see this picture, while it frightens and repulses me, at the same time it makes me think that yes, I CAN overcome my fears! This is a picture of how I would look if I ever put on a swimsuit and tried to go swimming.
I don’t know if I would ever actually feel comfortable enough to go in a pool, but seeing this picture I at least have to admit that swimsuits can be cute and fun, and maybe I would like to wear one someday (if Miss Chrissy could ever find such a thing at the Thrift Store Boutique.) And when I find myself able to even LOOK at a picture like this, and realize that there are other Whimsies in the world who are willing to wear swimsuits, and willing to go swimming, it makes me think, “Yes! Maybe I could do that too.” Maybe…
Wear a swimsuit, I mean. I’m still not decided on the going swimming part. But the first step is to be able to look at a picture like this and feel inspired to be able to overcome my fears. It’s a big step for me. The same way, when Tillie told Tessie that she would be okay if she read that book Go, Dog, Go, it would be okay, because there would be no actual dogs, and it would be fun and funny.
Tessie read that book about dogs. And not only did she survive the experience, but it also was fun and funny. In the same way, I can look at a picture of a beautiful little Whimsie sister in an adorable little swimsuit, and know that the world is still spinning, and I am still here, and everything is okay.
And even more importantly, it makes me realize that there is always hope for things to get better.
