Several weeks ago, I was trying to concentrate on some necessary reading at home. My kids were playing outside. I thought I heard them calling me faintly. I looked out a window and saw them doing something at their swing. Then I noticed that the oldest (then 11 1/2 years old) was actually hanging from the swing! I ran to them as quickly as I could. I was relieved when I heard the oldest screaming & scared! He was hanging upside down by his leg which was caught in the rope. His leg was entangled in the rope which was badly twisted. I told him to brace himself. I held his leg & cut the rope, letting him down gradually but still into an undignified heap. He, & his 9 yo brother had been twisting the 2 ropes holding the swing a few dozen turns as one of them sat on the seat. When released, the rider got a fast spinning ride until the rope finally unwound. This last time, however, he became too dizzy & fell backwards almost off the swing, except for his lower leg which was caught between the seat & the twisted ropes. Not exactly a life saver, but still an exciting experience.<br><br>A few years ago (well actually 6), I had just come from a fun shooting day at the range. I was wearing heavy lace-up boots due to an ankle injury. My wife had been on lifeguard duty at our pool all afternoon. She wanted relief. I took over. I also tried to do some serious reading. However that required enough concentration that I found that I could not effectively watch the kids in the pool. I grudgingly put aside the materials. A few minutes later, I saw the head of my then wading 3 yo go totally underwater & not reemerge as he edged out of the shallow end. In his inimitably recalcitrant manner, he had not yet learned to swim. Fortunately he was still in sufficiently shallow water that I did not need to take the time to remove my boots before I waded in & lifted him out of the water (chest deep for me). He had only been under water for about 10-15 seconds & had not taken in any water. Naturally I got his strongest hug ever. After that experience, it took him 3 more years before he would release the shallow edge of the pool. He has since become a proficient swimmer. I am continually grateful to God that I kept my parental duties paramount rather than trying to read & watch the kids at the same time. Otherwise the compromise might have been tragic. Attention is crucial when the circumstances can be deadly.<br><br>John