One of my favorite pastimes with my grandparents was going fishing. We would go out to Stone Mountain and fish there. One time my sister and I went with our dad and grandfather. This was after our grandfather had his first stroke so his mobility was limited. This often frustrated him. We left really early in the morning and about mid afternoon we had caught about five brim. I really really wanted to eat them. My dad said “ we have to throw them back… they are just youngins like you two.” This statement personified them for us. I noticed that they had injuries by their mouths. I pointed it out to my dad and he said “yes, that’s from the hook”.
I felt horrible. How could I rectify this atrocity I had just done?! I had personally injured this animal. Five minutes before I was ready to build a fire and eat it and now I was on the verge of tears for these brim. The only solution I could come up with was the magical healing power of a kiss. I suggested this idea to my dad. My sister seconded this idea because she felt sorry for the fishes. My Grandfather let out a burst of laughter. I could not believe he thought it was funny that we were trying to help these fish. I let him know that this was a very serious matter. This made him laugh even harder. My sister and I could not believe how harsh my dad was being by denying us the ability to cure these animals.
My dad was definitely stuck in a hard spot. He thought the notion was funny but also allowing Bridget and I to kiss the fishes raised some health concerns.
“Girls, I’m not sure that’s a sanitary idea. These fishes are not really safe to kiss.”-Dad
“We won’t kiss them on the boo boo…. just close Daddy.”-Bridget
“We have too”-Bridget
“Yes, yes…. We have to… maybe dad you need to kiss it too?”-Me
“NO ASHLEY, Ugh, well I guess you girls can kiss the fish….” –Dad
Dad would pick up a fish out of the bucket with a look of disgust on his face and Bridget and I would alternate between kissing the fishes depending on who caught it.
My grandfather was laughing so hard during this time. I don’t think he stopped laughing until we got back to my grandparents’ house where he was then able to share the story.
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