I Met a Dive Junkie

I was at the DUI DOG Rally today working the registration booth. I met a couple of people I would consider possible dive junkies like me. I can often tell they are dive junkies by their choice of words regarding not diving; carving, anxiety, depression, etc. One of these dive junkies left an impression on me. 

I registered a 15 year old girl and didn't really think much of it. She was newly certified and seemed relatively enthusiastic, then I talked to her mother. This young girl has been working at a dive shop all summer to buy all her own gear. Dive gear is expensive. She dove 4 times last week. She dove Monday evening. The School year started Tuesday. She wanted to dive Thursday evening but her mother told her she should not dive on a school night. This young girl became very anxious and even a little depressed at the thought of not being able to dive. I describe the affliction which some of us suffer and could see the recognition in her mother's eyes.

I have mixed thoughts regarding this young girl being a dive junkie. I was 42 years old and had been diving for 7 years before I felt these longing feelings. These longing feelings are the most powerful things I have ever felt. I am glad this young girl did not have to wait as long as I did to experience these things. On the other hand, despite my 42 years of emotional experience I have had a hard time coming to grips with what I feel. How is a 15 year old girl going to cope with these feelings?