Ode to a Pool

Last week our area of the globe dropped into the 80's for a good stretch of time. This has usually been a good indicator that Fall weather is truly heading our way. I usually embrace this temperature change with great eagerness, and with barely a parting wave at summer and all of its intense heat, but I surprised myself this year. I realized I was actually sad that summer was over. After a good deal of meditation and soul-searching, I discovered the deep-seated cause of all the melancholy. It's getting too cold to swim, and I'm going to miss jumping into the pool.

I have not been on the greatest of terms with our pool. Initially, I had reservations about even moving into this house because the mix of a pool and young children did not sit well with me at all. I also did not grow up with a pool and never felt truly at ease in the water myself. About a year after moving in, our pool pump started shrieking and eventually died. After a month of trying to figure out what to do, during which time the pool turned ectoplasma green and probably housed the Loch Ness Monster's little sister, we replaced it ourselves. We had no idea what we were doing, consulted many people about wiring (thanks for letting us bug you, Paul and Jason) and then hooked it up wrong and had to have someone come out and fix it. Then the automatic vacuum needed to be replaced. Less than a year later, the NEW pump motor started squealing, but was replaced at no charge, being still under warranty. But not before the pool turned green again. Then it started turning green every week, requiring several purchases of $25 bottles of algaecide/clarifier before we realized we had to completely drain it and refill it. The kids love the pool, of course, but my swimming time usually consisted of standing still in the pool watching them while holding onto a baby. Not exactly quality pool time. Can you begin to understand my frustration?

But this summer was different. I bought goggles to protect my contacts, and had Tim give me pointers on how to swim underwater since I've always had trouble not being able to touch the bottom. I also found a new swimsuit. I have not bought a new one since college, and was heavily disappointed when I began looking to find all suits in my price range also sported plunging necklines, not to mention they were completely unsuited for swimming. I had been eyeing the Lands' End swimsuits for a long time because of their modesty and reported comfort, but was always put off by the expense. Facing very limited, ugly choices, I decided this was the year, and bought myself a modest suit at a not so modest price. I really like my suit.

Armed with geeky goggles and my nifty new suit, every afternoon I would put Mitchell down for his nap then spend the free time learning to dive for the kids' torpedo toys. They thought it was pretty funny that they could do something better than Mommy, but I was not deterred by their mockery. I simply gave them all time-outs and kept practicing. I felt this taught them some pretty good life-lessons about determination and the proper way to respond when people laugh at you. All in all, my efforts were worth it. I finally had a blast in our pool.

But this isn't all about me. Keller also found peace with the pool this summer. Last summer he wouldn't ever leave the pool steps when we all went swimming. While this made it very easy to watch him, it began to bother me after a while. So I eventually wedged his arm into floaties and carried him, screaming, into the center of the pool. At this point we began a strange dance. I would push him away from me and try to pry his hands off of my arms, but every time I freed myself from one hand, the other hand would come around and clamp onto my shoulder, arm or neck. Somehow I managed to unclamp all hands and throw him into the middle of the water. I can't remember if he yelled or froze from fear, but after two seconds he realized he was floating and not, in fact, dying. He managed a very shaky smile, but it was actually more of a grimace and there was a lot of fear in the eyes which you can easily see in the picture I took to document the occasion. That's as far as he got last summer. This summer he seems to have discovered his pool chi and the fun of not only finally putting his head under water, but amazingly has even developed a love of cannonball dives. For someone who has easily been our most fearful swimmer, I am thrilled at how far he's come.

Meriel has been just a step behind him, progressing from pool piggyback rides, to swimming with the aid of her own swimming vest, to jumping in on her own, to demanding that people pick her up and actually throw her into the deep end. This all happened in a matter of weeks. Mitchell seems to be taking his cue from her. So far he loves kicking and slapping the water.

Good times, good times, but now it is time to say good-bye. Pool, we've had our differences, our ups and our downs, good times and bad. But now I think we've finally stopped all the useless arguing, we've looked into each other's eyes and discovered each other's soul. I think I finally understand you, Pool, and I think you understand me too. This time, this Fall, we can shake hands and part as friends. May good fortune and happiness be yours, Pool, until we meet again . . . and, for the love of heaven, no more turning green!