Spring Break 2003 (my sister's 'Senior Spring Break') my family and I, along with 100 other Forest Hills Rangers, ditched the snow for the beautiful beaches of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. While we were there a major snow storm hit Grand Rapids knocking out power for hundreds of houses. One of my parents' best friends, Bob, was a sweetheart and offered to get our mail while we were away and as a side job I has requested his services in feeding my goldfish, Jigga. After two days with no power Bob entered our house bearing heaps of junk mail and saw little Jigga-man upside down on the bottom of the tank. Poor little guy had frozen to death. Bob wasn't sure what to do, should he flush my little fish, or would I be upset that I didn't get to bury him? Bob wasn't sure. All he knew was he didn't want to take a chance so he left him. (Good call, Bob).
Bob quietly broached the subject as we drove along Cascade Road on our way home from the airport. I explained I wasn't mad, I understood, although I was sad. I had rescued Jigga after he had participated in a "fish spitting" contest in a "wYLd life" activity (it is the 'middle school version' of Young Life). Why they were spitting fish at a youth-group event, I still have yet to understand. But the poor little dude had not had an easy life and I was feeling pretty bad that I was responsible for his rescue and then his inevitable demise.
When I walked through the door prepared to get my shovel and say my last goodbyes (not really, it was freezing out, he would have gone down the toilet for sure, but bear with me), I tapped on the glass of his tank like people always tell you not to do. "Bye bye little jigga man, you were a good dude" I reminded his corps. All of a sudden I witnessed a miracle. As my finger tapped the class ever so lightly, 4 days after being pronounced dead (meaning feeding had been ceased) my little golfish peeled off those colorful rocks, FLIPPED over, and started swimming around that little tank with gusto! I had my own little magic fish!!
I have raved about my fish ever since and he is still swimming away, 7 years after that incident. He turned 10-years-old last year and doesn't look a day over 9. I have always been considereablly impressed with my fish, but just this week, I was shocked yet again.... when I found out he knew how to write.
You got it, Jigga man, I will clean your tank. Thanks for yet again, surprising your momma. You truly are a magical fish. ;)
-Lizzie