The Phone Call

  It all started with a simple phone call.  My sister's friend had gotten her interested in scuba diving and before long she found herself in Arkansas, where her friend's family owned a dive shop.  It was through them that she became the first certified scuba diver in my family.  When she told the rest of us about the underwater world and the idea that both she and another family friend were planning a trip to Grand Cayman to experience the diving there, we were hooked.  Thinking back, I always remember the excitement in her voice, which came through so clearly in that simple and short conversation!  She said, "You guys would love it!"  My sister was right, and it wasn't long afterwards that my brother, dad and I all gained open water certification.  My mother would join the ranks just about a year later.  My brother and I would join my sister and our family friend on that Grand Cayman trip, and what a trip it was!

  That's the thing about scuba diving, it's a great reason to explore new places whether local or far off.  The thought behind writing this is the simple idea that these experiences have definitely enriched my life.  Diving has also become for me a reminder that there are great and amazing things to be found not just in our cities, but in nature as well.  And if it has done so much for me, maybe it can affect you the reader in a similar way.  Whether one dives mostly local waters, travels to far off places or simply reads, really doesn't matter.  Once you've done any of these, you become part of the adventure and that adventure must be shared.  Although I've only been diving for a little over ten years as of this writing, what stories, adventures and experiences I have gained!