Username; oneinthecold
Name; Julie
Gender; Female
Prompt #; 2
Prompt answer;
"Why did you choose to become a lifeguard?"
You see, I've been asked that ever since I joined. And the reason is..well the reason I give is "Because I wanted to keep our people safe and our oceans clean." Now..thats a cheesy response, but the real reason I joined, and the real reason why I don't say it, is because, its personal.
Ever since I was young I loved the ocean. The smell of the sea salt, the feeling of the waves strength, the sound of it crashing down but then its soft hush as it recedes back to begin another assault. I feel connected some how. My family would take me every week in the summer to visit it. I loved to collect seashells, and when I got home, I would find out which name each had, making me more interested into what the ocean had in store. I remember my 12th birthday, when my dad came home and gave me my scuba gear. I was so thrilled to be actually part of the ocean, to be in its embrace and explore its heart. I went from collecting shells, to documenting sea creatures in an instant. Every time I found one I would find another, it was endless! Some creatures were simply stunning while others were down right nasty. But my worst fear.. was the sharks. No matter how many times my father told me they wouldn't hurt me, deep down I didn't believe him. They were hunters, terrors of the ocean. Any time I saw one come in my view, I would get out of the water and wait till another day till I got the chance to go back in.
That is the beginning for my reason.
When I was 13 years old my mom had a baby girl. My very own sister. She had seaweed eyes, just like mine. She was someone I could share the ocean with, pass down my information and wisdom to. I could never be so proud. Although I wanted to get her in the water as soon as possible, my parents instead on letting her grow first. So I waited. I waited 7 years, and now I was 20 years old, out of the house and working at a seafood restaurant my mom now owned. I forgotten all about the ocean, till my 7 year old sister came up to me and asked me to see my seashell collection. As I showed her each shell and its given name the ocean filled my heart once again. I began to take my sister out swimming and seashell collecting as much as I could, feeling the bond between us growing strong.
But one day that all changed... One day it was taken..
As me and my sister were swimming one day, something bumped my leg. I looked down and squinted into the blurry water. Nothing.Nothing that I could see. Suddenly there was a scream and as I whirled back to my sister I saw her get dragged under. "No!" I yelled, swimming frantically towards her. I dove under and grabbed her limp body in my arms and swam for shore. The shark splashed wildly to my side as it missed its target. I swam for my life and for my sisters, holding her over my shoulder while the other hand paddled. We made it to shore, and I set her on a towel, thats when I realized.. I called for 911 and they were there minutes later. My parents came and picked me up following the ambulance. As we waited outside the emergency room, the doctor brought us the news. We walked in and I saw my sister, with only her right arm. I knelt down and cried next to her. She was so young, so young! My parents comforted me by saying I saved her life, but did I? I ruined it. It would never be the same. Weeks past, and finally she came out of the hospital. I was dry, I was tired and dull. Like a storm cloud that won't rain. I thought my sister would hate me, would never talk to me, but no. She was just like her excited bubbly self. She learned the ways of a lost arm and when it didn't go right, she would laugh at herself and try again. She turned 8 and she wanted to go to the beach for her birthday. I didn't understand, why would she want to go back? When I asked her this, she sighed and responded. "I love the ocean. I love the creatures in it. This-" she gestured to her arm "Is just a mark of what goes on out there. Its dangerous, yes. But, its also beautiful, its wonderful and mysterious. So much to explore." she looked at me. "I can't have you explore it alone can I?" I was so lost for words I cried. I hugged her tightly and said sorry so many times I lost count of how many times she said 'Its not your fault'. I learned something from her words. She was right. The ocean is dangerous, but it is also beautiful. I kept those words with me ever since, that is when I got the idea for a life guard. I enjoyed the ocean, and others did too, so becoming a life guard would make me make sure that others could enjoy the ocean safely.
Thats that. Thats the reason why I became a life guard. For my sister.
Cuz if it wasn't for her, I would have never have seen both sides of the sea.
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Full Name: Julie Atlanta Waterbank
Nick Name(s): Kelp [because of her eyes, mostly her dad calls her], Junebug or JuJu[her mom and sister calls her this]
Favorite Color: Blue //// Favorite Food: Crab //// Favorite Music: Pop or Electro Swing
Family:
Dad, Mom, Sister
Personality:
~Mostly the 'ready for the day' type attitude, but sometimes she has a moment of silence like in deep thought
~Laughs very easily even at the dumbest joke
~Kind of a tom boy and could really stand up for anyone against anybody
~Very respectful and chill around strangers but if she's your friend she will show her fun side
~Nervous around boys but doesn't know why
Hobbies: drawing, seashell searching, swimming, scuba diving, helping her family
Likes: sunny days, conservations, [things in hobbies group],
Dislikes: people that hate the ocean for no reason
Fears: sharks and dark water [water she can't see through], boys
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