Summer as a child meant long days floating, dipping and swimming in my pool. I would hit the water as soon as possible and stay until I had to get out to do things like...eat, sleep or the like. My fingers were a constant state of prune. When I first moved away from having my own pool I sought out new ways to stay connected to the scent of chlorine. I became a lifeguard at 18 and spent many a day hearing the ripples of a lap swim or the loudness of a family night. I used the gorgeous pool at college, the Y and any and every hotel I could find if traveling. In between real life and work and children I would find moments here and there but nothing like the good old days.
Until today. You have heard me mention Mary before...my Gramary. The kids could not have a better grandmother and I could not have a better friend and "mom". After spending some time with us this weekend she gave me a gift that I don't think either one of us realized would be SO amazing. (Though I did start crying as she told me her plan to give us the pool membership for the summer...and she did tease me a bit.)
Today is Memorial Day. A day of hot dogs and watermelon and sunshine and pools. The squeals of joy came from my children as I told them where we were headed...to the big gorgeous pool we have stood near and stared at for several summers. It is close and in a beautiful setting. We threw on suits and grabbed the Pop Pop in his cords and heavy shirt and zoomed on up. In mere seconds we seemed to be floating and paddling and dipping. The sun was perfect. The temperature of the water...divine. My little Pisces never left the water. For two hours straight we soaked it all in.
I took a moment to face the sunlight and concentrate on the water. This felt like summer. For a moment there was a feeling washing over me. I tried to focus on it. Be present. Give it a title. I came up with one word to sum it all up...bliss. Bliss. True bliss. There I was in the 4' section with sun on my face and laughter in the air. My children were happy but I was experiencing bliss. I looked ahead at the summer. I saw the plans and flashes of things to come...snacks and games of Uno at the cute little tables, naps in beach chairs if I found some time to myself, marble searches with masks and all of the other wonderful things that happen with a pool. The feeling of sore muscles from too much fun. Lungs that feel like they've been pushed a bit more each day. Wet towels and fuzzy curls and tan lines from bathing suit straps. Nice sleeps from water exhaustion.
I will value each and every moment. I will treasure each new sunny day. I will get there as much as time and weather allows. I will teach my babies to swim and dunk and play in the water. It is one step closer to the me I am returning to...and I am so grateful to the woman who made it possible. Something tells me that the pink cheeks and lightened hair will be all the proof she needs of the value of this gift. Gramary...for all that you do and for the times you even top yourself...thank you!!!!
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