Happy Swimming

Drew insisted that we take advantage of the break to go swimming at the VAC (Voller Athletic Center) where we have a family membership (one of the many perks of working here!). And he was right. I need to get back in the habit - its so easy to fall out of it what with deadlines, feeling ill, being busy. Hard to get back in it, and I sure need this!

So we went Sunday, and again tonight. He invited his friend who also is a member, and the two boys were happily jumping off the diving board, leaving me free to swim laps at a v-e-r-y leisurely pace. No sense jumping in too quickly!

We had been lolling about for nearly an hour when kids started coming in and standing on the deck at the shallow end of the pool, waiting. I wasn't quite sure what they were waiting for, but the number kept increasing until there was a veritable crowd down there. It looked like a class to me.

I motioned Drew over and said I thought we were about to get kicked out for a class (my fingers were pretty much prunes anyways), but Drew asked the lifeguard, and was told he could stay. I gave him twenty more minutes, then we would leave. With that many kids in the pool, it wouldn't be any fun anyways.

I thought they were waiting for a coach or an instructor. No one had gotten in the water yet. As I hauled myself out of the water, feeling every pound of my excess weight, I realized these kids were all handicapped. Some physically, some mentally, others with some sort of behavioral problems. Each kid had at least one adult with them, and some had siblings along for the fun.

How wonderful that the college opens up the pool to these kids during break, giving them a chance to have a good time with family and friends. Just as I was heading for the women's shower room, the first kid jumped into the water, followed by several others, then more. Their whooping and hollering followed me into the locker room, echoing through the rafters and bouncing off the lockers.

They were irresistible, these charming young kids totally enjoying themselves, free and happy. What a lovely evening!