Everybody Has a Story: Wet trip to zoo with grandkids

In April 2018, I took my 8-year-old grandson, Ryder, and my 3-year-old granddaughter, Reese, to the Make-A-Wish walk at the Oregon Zoo. It was very early in the morning on a Saturday. The temperature was in the mid-50s, but the sun was out.

We did the walk, and the children did well. The walk ended before 11 a.m., so we thought we should see more animals. We were near where the penguins had been housed. A sign said they were relocated. (Editor’s note: They were temporarily relocated from the “Penguinarium” to the empty polar bear habitat.) To find them, we proceeded toward a cement pool with two wide steps down to the water.

Before we left my son’s home, I was given very strict instruction on how to take care of the children. Specifically, I was never to let go of Reese’s hand.

We got to the steps. I wasn’t holding Reese’s hand. She backed off the first step accidentally and fell into the water and clear under. I jumped in and grabbed her. She sputtered a bit but never cried. Luckily there were two women with their children close by. They immediately helped dry her off, and had extra clothes that fit, which they just gave me. They were like angels.

On the way home, I stressed, because I was sure I was going to lose grandmother privileges. I wanted to say, “Let’s keep this a secret,” but that does not work with children or strange clothes.

When we arrived at their home, Mom and Dad ran out to meet us, asking how it went. Ryder and I tried not to cry or laugh. He said, “Well, we had an incident,” and told the story. The response was, “Accidents happen.” I felt so relieved.

Reese now says, “I got to go swimming at the zoo!” We all just laugh.

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