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Monday, July 18, 2011

I spread my arms out wide, making the letter T with my body as if I was about to perform some kind of magic trick.  The water looked like glass before me as I stood in the dark, taking in my surroundings.  The turquoise sky, the stars, the moon.

Our longtime family friends recently purchased a fix-er-upper not too far from us.  The first thing they "fixer-ed up" was, of course, the gorgeous in ground pool.  What smart friends I have, I tell ya.'

So, on this night, I found myself surrounded by friends.  Some of whom I have known for 25 years.  Some for 20 and some for, "I don't remember life without them."  That's how long.

It was a somewhat spontaneous gathering.  Earlier in the evening, text messages were sent.  Voicemails left.  Calls made.  Several of us just seemed to land there.  One by one, we filed in.  We came to explore.  To be together.  To celebrate.  At this old-new-house.  Pizza was ordered.  Greetings exchanged.  Playlists were set.

It was a wonderful night, and I feel so lucky that so many of us have landed here- in this city, barely half an hours drive away from any one of us.  Most of us even less than that.

As we chatted about swimming, I decided that I have a new rule.

When the opportunity presents itself, S  W   I   M.

For the love of Pete, get in the pool.  None of this, "Do I want to get may hair wet?"  "I'll get in if you get in..."  "Do I want to drive home wet?"

Yes.  Yes you do.  God made leather car seats for a reason, now get.in.the.pool.

How many opportunities do you get to swim at night?  Especially in The Midwest.

From now on, the statement will not be, "I'll get in if you get in."

From now on, I will proclaim, "I'm getting in.  Who else is with me?"

Needless to say, a swimsuit was found.  A towel was borrowed which left me here.  Staring at the water, breathing in the faint scent of chlorine and feeling completely at peace.

For the first time in a long time, I truly believed that everything- everywhere is eventually going to be o.k.
Source: tumblr.com via Andie on Pinterest




Love and more night swimming,
H.

1 comment:

carmen @ life blessons said...

Ah, I wish I was there with you and night swimming, too :) I keep trying to figure out who bought the fixer-upper house. You'll have to give me the update next time we chat! Yay for embracing life's sweet spots!