Angie resides in Niagara Falls with her husband Ronald & their 5 children. In addition to being a teacher, free-lance writer, motivational speaker, and author of two books, she and her husband also host their own local television show "The Marriage Cafe".

What began as a warm summer day, much like any other, soon became one I will never forget. As I sat quietly on our patio filling out some tedious paperwork, my infant laid sleeping on my lap. My husband and our boys were in the pool nearby, splashing around. Everything was peacefully perfect.

The next few moments would prove to be anything but... I suddenly heard one of the boys shouting something inaudible. Almost instantly, I saw my husband jumping over the side of the pool with my lifeless 3 year old son in his arms. He retrieved him from the bottom of the pool. I’ll never forget the horrible sound of his voice as he repeatedly yelled in horror. Time stood still. I felt as if I would die.

In the moments that followed, ones that felt more like a slow motion lifetime, my husband performed CPR, I called 911, good-willed neighbors flocked to the fence, and thank God my son began breathing again. Though it was touch and go for a while, and we had to spend the night at Children’s Hospital, my beautiful child survived.

Somehow, someway, in spite of how well we watch after our children, a near tragedy still occurred.

Apparently, my husband turned for a moment to check the chlorine level. In just that moment, my 3 year old forgot that he took his arm floaties off, and he jumped into the water. It was my 5 year old, that noticed and yelled for help.

That was a year ago, and the paralyzing sting of the pain that ripped me open took so much time to heal. However, it made me aware of how truly vulnerable we are when we hold that amazing, all consuming, love for a child.

I write to plea with each of you to take every precaution, when it comes to protecting your children-especially when it comes to water safety. But also with things like backing out of driveways, and making sure to take your baby with you when you leave the car. You can’t be too cautious. I held a water safety reminder meeting only the morning before this happened with my children. Though we were both right there, it still happened! Don’t take for granted that other adults, who may be present are watching your kids. They usually aren’t. While it is true that accidents can happen, no matter what preventative measures we may implement; there’s nothing worse than knowing we could’ve done something to prevent it.

I also wish to implore those who’ve never been through something like this, not to judge or jump to conclusions about those parents who’ve lost children this way. It can happen to the most careful of us! Finally, I encourage all parents to slow down. Life can really cause us to be so busy that we lose sight of those things which are dearest to us. Every single day I look at my son, and I thank God that he is still alive. I treasure every smile, every laugh, and each new milestone he reaches, as I was seconds away from losing him. Sadly, it took this nightmare for me to realize that we should all love our children & spouses like that anyway, as if each day could be their last!

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