A Summer’s Pleasure

It must be summer. The season is unmistakable, and with it, a sense of freedom and joy that comes with spending time outdoors. For my family, the summer months are filled with laughter, adventure, and of course, the joy of swimming. My grandchildren are all out of school, and the pool is finally in use after a long winter of inactivity. The sound of splashing and diving is music to my ears, and I couldn’t be happier.

A Lifeguard’s Nervous Moments

For decades, my job was to “lifeguard” the pool when my sons and their friends would spend their summer days swimming and playing. It was a challenging task, to say the least. I had to be vigilant and attentive, ensuring the safety of everyone in and around the pool. There were many nervous moments, but thankfully, we all survived those years.

The Pool as a Family Hub

The pool was more than just a place to swim; it was the centerpiece of our family’s summer. I watched my sons grow from splashers to swimmers, from human cannonballs to graceful divers. The pool was a place where we could all come together, create memories, and make new ones. My then-husband, Ross, and I would sit poolside, listening to the radio and watching TV, planning our day and enjoying each other’s company.

The Glamour Wears Off

After Ross passed away, the pool lost its magic. The wind would blow, and leaves would accumulate on its surface, making it look messy and uninviting. The glamour of having a pool wore off, and I was left with the reality of maintenance and upkeep. The pool became a chore, rather than a source of joy.

The Challenges of Pool Maintenance

Maintaining a pool can be a daunting task, especially for someone who is not used to it. I had to deal with evaporation, air sucking through the pipes, and the constant need to skim leaves. It was a lot of work, and I often felt like I was shouldering the burden alone. The cost of upkeep was also a significant burden, and I had to rely on a pool service to keep the pool clean and safe.

A New Chapter

When my kids grew up and left home, the pool was left to gather dust. But I didn’t give up on it. I replaced the diving board, which had lost its spring, and continued to take care of the pool. However, I didn’t swim as much as I used to. Getting my hair wet seemed like too much trouble.

A New Love for the Pool

When I remarried, my new husband took over pool care, and we both appreciate the beauty of the pool. We no longer use it for swimming, but rather as a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. We take our coffee or cocktails outside to enjoy the warmth and fresh air, and the pool sits quietly, pure and turquoise and clean.

A Place of Comfort and Familiarity

The pool is no longer a symbol of prosperity, but rather a place where we can sit together in treasured quiet, watching the birds and the squirrels and the breeze-riffled trees. It’s a comfortable place, a familiar place, one that feels like home.

“The pool is a place where we can sit together in treasured quiet, watching the birds and the squirrels and the breeze-riffled trees. It’s a comfortable place, a familiar place, one that feels like home.” – The Author

Key Lesson:

* Having a pool can be a source of joy and comfort, but it also requires a significant amount of maintenance and upkeep.

As I sit by the pool, watching my grandchildren play and enjoy the sunshine, I am reminded of the many summers we spent together as a family. The pool was more than just a place to swim; it was a symbol of our love and connection.