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My great-granddaughter, Charlie, age 5, is named after Charlie Michel, her other great-grandfather. If ever a child is like her namesake, it’s Charlie.

Charlie is on the LARAYO swim team with her sister, Olivia, and cousins, Addi, Blakely and Dylan.

At the beginning of the first swim meet of the year, the coach, Michelle Jensen, spoke to the teams. After a short briefing of what was to take place, she asked if there were any questions. Charlie was the only one to raise her hand.

“Yes, Charlie,” said the coach. “What’s the problem?”

“I’m just swimming freestyle, because that’s what I’m really good at.”

Keep in mind-all swimmers are in at least two races and some are in three.

Charlie swam freestyle and finished last. For her, that was it.

The next week, there was another swim meet and Charlie decided she would enter two races. In freestyle she finished second-to-last and her first words were: ” It feels good not to finish last!” She also swam backstroke, finished the race, but came out last.

Charlie and his wife, Claire, passed away before Charlie was born. At the time of their death, they were married 65 years, had four children, 12 grandchildren, 11 great­ grandchildren and now a great-great-grandchild is on the way.

After people have been gone a few years, except for family members, their names are seldom mentioned. But believe me, my great-granddaughter, Charlie, will see to it that the name ‘Charlie’ will live on for years with many unforgettable experiences.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084 or call (985) 652-8477.