Earlier this afternoon, my friend Jenny and I decided to go to the local pool in hopes of getting that perfect summer tan and take a dip in the water. Little did we know the weather had different plans for us.
We arrived at the pool shortly after eating Chick fil A in Fayetteville where the storm had already left us. Trying not to become discouraged we drove to the Springdale Aquatic Center to see if we could still swim. The guy at the check-in booth reminds us that if we pay there are no refunds if the pool closes. Jenny and I look at each other with minor hesitation. Searching each other's mind to see if we should stay or go. Finally, we pay and walk inside.
All we managed to do was set our towels down on the lounge chairs before the thunder sounded and the lifeguards decided we had to go under the awning over the concession stands. Each time the thunder made its presence known, we were told to wait 30 more minutes. Thunder. 30 minutes. Thunder. Another 30 minutes. The head lifeguard came over the intercom system and announced to the guests that the pool was now closed due to the weather and we needed to leave. This all happened in a matter of 30 minutes. Best four dollars I have ever spent.. Not.
Onto why I believe everything happens for a reason. As we go to leave the pool the rain starts to pour down and my friend doesn't want to leave and get wet. People started scattering left and right to their cars. As we stand there waiting, I notice this little girl sitting alone on the ground outside of the entrance. I walk over to her and ask if she is okay and if she needed to call anyone. She smiles so sweetly and says that her grandpa was coming but she would life to call him. I hand her my phone and she slowly begins to dial his number. No answer. She looks up at me and explains that he said he would be right back after taking her brother to the skate park.
Jenny and I sit down with her and she launches into her life story after a few minutes. She's from Oklahoma and her grandpa drove her all the way to Springdale so she could swim. She tries to get ahold of her grandpa again and again there is no answer. She loves to watch the news to check the weather. She loves school, her favorite subject is science. Next is math. I love those too. (That's why I chose to journalism. Ha!) Her laugh was contagious. She told us about her family and her older brother.
This little girl was quite the talker. After sitting with her for close to 30 minutes, her grandpa finally calls back. He was all the way in Fayetteville but he reassures her that he is on his way. He surprised her with a new little purse and shoes.
She continued to remind us that we were good people and we were sweet for sitting with her.
I get enough courage to ask her what it is from. She casually answer, "Oh, I had cancer." Jenny and I both turn our heads in surprise and just stare at her. She excitedly told us that she had her port removed a month ago and that is what the scar is from. This little girl is only ten and she had cancer for four years. She is now cancer free and I suppose living a normal life like most little kids her age. She told us that she was born with leukemia and it has fluctuated off and on.
"I fighted it," is what she told us with the goofiest grin. It turned out to be the best four dollars I have ever spent. If Jenny and I would have left she would have been alone. I can only hope someone would have sat with her. But instead I got the pleasure of sitting with this sweet little girl. Everything does happen for a reason. <3
