My Father’s Day gift came early this year. The pool opened and my kids went swimming… by themselves!
No more jumping into the take-your-breath-away-cold water for me! Instead, I sat poolside, cold can of sparkling water in my hand. No children hanging off my arms and no more throwing out my shoulder chucking said children into the water. My feet were up on a deck chair, my hands resting behind my head. This was the life!
I did not nap, mind you. I’m sure the high schooler in the lifeguard chair was attentive. But there were a lot of other kids in the pool (not to mention their shivering dads). I kept an eye on my offspring. Besides, they were a delight to watch.
Not only were they strong swimmers, my three children were actually playing together! Back on dry land at home, they can bicker and brawl like territorial junkyard dogs. In the water, they were more like joyful otters — playing tag and splashing, diving under the water for toys, tossing a ball back and forth. And there I was, enjoying them and being warmed by the afternoon sun — this was the life, I tell you!
But sitting poolside offers a chance for my mind to wander to the future. The days are surely coming when my teenagers don’t want me to set foot anywhere near the pool and their friends. These days, they still want me to applaud their lopsided handstands and underwater flips. I know full well that it will take a few more weeks for the water to warm up, but they would like me to play Marco Polo. Gurus and sages across time and space have recommended attending to the present moment. While it’s nice to sit out, time with my children is the greatest gift of all.
Watch out, kids! Cannonball!
Andrew Taylor-Troutman has a new book coming out about playful and poignant moments in family life titled “Little Big Moments.” He lives in Chapel Hill and occasionally stumbles upon the wondrous while in search of his next cup of coffee.
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