Chillin' at the Pool

I've taken my nieces to the pool twice this summer, the most recent time being yesterday afternoon.  As I make the most miserable pool person ever, I've regarded this as quite a sacrifice on my part. :-)

First of all, it's pure torture sitting there, hot as a baked potato just out of the oven, watching everyone splash and play in the cool, refreshing water, when you can't go in. The only time I've been in a swin suit in the last six or seven years is once, on a trip, when I was far, far from home, and sure no one there knew me from Adam. I refuse to go in the pool in my hometown until I lose at least 100? or so pounds.

Second, after my recent bouts with skin cancer, I can't lay out in the sun - and don't want to. It's just too scary and disconcerting, even with suntan lotion on, thinking about what might be brewing if I were to allow myself to bask in the sun even for a brief period.

Third, I've just never been the beach babe type. I'm the kind that always has to be doing something. Just sitting there... doing nothing... well, it's a concept that more or less escapes me. The only time I've ever sat by a pool was one summer when I lived in Lawton, OK for six months. I couldn't get a job because everyone knew we were only going to be there a short time (my ex was in town for officer's training in the Field Artillery) and I had nothing else to do. So, I needlepointed and did cross stitch by the pool every morning. I didn't feel guilty because I was accomplishing something. But now, my eyes and the bright sun don't get along, so that would never work - besides, when you're at the pool with kids, you have to watch them.

Fourth, I've always felt self-conscience and uncomfortable at the pool or the beach. I'm just not comfortable walking around half naked (in public) and I don't do bare feet outside - it's just not my comfort zone. You'll understand why when my book Waterlily comes out. There's a great scene at the pool halfway through the book, which later leads to a very romantic skinny-dipping scene in a lake... which reminds me, I really should be working on my book instead of writing this post.

Anyway, when I offered to take my nieces (age 5 and 7) to the pool, you can be sure how much I love them, and how much I like to see them happy.

That is why my experience at the pool yesterday was so amazing.

I discovered that, watching a zillion little kids running around, splashing and playing in the water, big smiles on their little faces, having so much fun... it's just impossible for you not to feel happy, too.  I found myself a shady spot under a big old umbrella and a comfortable lawn chair and relaxed. My shoulders "un-tensed". I smiled. I bought a pronto pup. I took my shoes off. I hiked up my skirt and crossed my legs and ... relaxed. Did me a world of good.

Chillin' at the pool... an experience I highly recommend.