Last week I was on my summer vacation. I was with the family and we did a lot of fun things. I was able to explore the community where we stayed and it was just beautiful. There were houses surrounding the lake, playgrounds, camp sites, beaches, pools, and wild deer so tame you could get within two feet of them. It seems impossible it is all over. I’ve spent so much time looking forward to it and it goes by so quickly.
In some ways I am glad to be back and getting into “normal” life again. For one thing, the temptation of copious amount of sweets will be no more. And I have plans to visit soon with a few friends I haven’t seen in quite some time.
I wanted to share something I observed while at the pool one day. Thursday we decided to go to the pool. Earlier in the week we had gone to the lake and even though it is beautiful and the beach was nice, I do not like swimming in the lake. Give me chlorine so strong it could kill a legion of aquatic wild life and I am a happy girl.
The fact that we had agreed on the pool made me happy to be able to swim. I will never be an Olympic swimmer, I don’t really know how to swim, but I move my arms and my legs and I stay afloat and get to where I want to go, to me, that is all I need. And no, it is not a dog paddle.
This is probably the first time since I was ten I did not imagine a shark coming to get me as I swam. Yes I realize sharks do not live in pools. However, after seeing a James Bond movie when I was young where an evil maniac releases a shark into a pool where 007 was swimming, I have envisioned this scene while swimming in pools. Fear is not always rational, so back up off me.
It was a good time with sisters and nieces as the boys were out fishing. Mom and Nana were even there on the lawn chairs in the shade, just enjoying the day.
I got out of the pool to get ready to leave and sat on my towel to people watch. I was next to my mother in her chair and we both saw the same thing. A man who looked to be in his seventies came walking up to the deep end. He was walking slowly, using a cane as he went. I watched him because I was a bit concerned for his safety. He was dressed for swimming, but still, it can be slippery near a pool and I just was hoping he would not fall around the edge of the pool. After what seemed to be forever, he got near enough and with one fluid and uncharacteristic swift motion he pushed his cane to the side and pushed off the ground to launch into the pool for a swim.
I turned to Mom and asked if she had seen what I saw. She said yes. I said that is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. That would be a way better commercial for Nestea than anything I’ve ever seen them come up with for an idea.
There are so many areas of life where I could apply this word picture. I should not be afraid of change, I should not hold on to things I think will help me but only make the transition awkward. I should never act as though I’m old although the time will come I am sure when I will not be able to move as I once could. That is just the beginning of all the things. I’m sure you have some of your own. I’m just sad for you that you were not there to see it.
Next time you are in an opportunity to people watch. Look for the little kids and the elderly. In my experience, they have taught me much more than the middle aged crowd. Perhaps I am too close to the middle age bracket I cannot fully appreciate it at this time. But who knows, some day I may be creeping toward the edge of a pool wondering why young people have become so voyeuristic.
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