Monday, May 23, 2022

Summer in the 50s!



Let me preface by disclosing as a child, this is as near to a pool as I ventured, usually in the company of my sisters, cousins and Aunt. Mother and Daddy didn't swim. What in the world was wrong with me? Everyone else swam while I managed a tepid dog-paddle.

Fast forward to summer 1972. St. Louis, our first home as a family of six .. complete with a pool. One tiny problem. I was still doing the awkward dog-paddle. Yes, I could actually get myself from side to side. But now? I had four children to keep safe! 

Mommy never learned to swim so fast. Mind you I did not progress to Olympic level, but proficient enough to jump in, wrap my arms around a child and swim to safety if I had to. Cheers to me!!! 

growing up in it
summer's sweet humidity
nothing more luscious 



 

Posted by Helen at 12:19 PM
Labels: , ,

15 comments:

  1. sarahMay 23, 2022 at 12:27 PM

    i can remember watching my daughter in the sea with eagle eyes - and then remembering that she could swim far better than me, and would probably be the one doing the rescuing! i love your haiku - that summer humidity is lovely - so long as you don't have to do very much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Colleen ChesebroMay 23, 2022 at 1:17 PM

    Summer, swimming, and humidity. It doesn't get any better than that for kids in the summer. This was a lovely haibun.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sherry Blue SkyMay 23, 2022 at 1:34 PM

    This takes me back to childhood summers. I still only go in to my ankles, and only every few years. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dwight L. RothMay 23, 2022 at 1:37 PM

    An interesting haibun. Pools and kids need a swimmer nearby. I gather they all survived the pool?!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ain - УжгородMay 23, 2022 at 1:52 PM

    The power of nostalgia...where all is seen through pink sunglasses....lovely little journey down memory lane...

    ReplyDelete
  6. JennaMay 23, 2022 at 2:03 PM

    I like this. :) Glad you could learn to swim for your kiddos!

    ReplyDelete
  7. rob kistnerMay 23, 2022 at 2:38 PM

    Wow! Now that is a cute crew for you… 🙂 I lovvved to swim. Spent every summer day I could during my high school years at the pool with my friends. When I wasn’t climbing a stage to perform with my band, I was climbing the ladder to the high board. Where are you in that line up?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderMay 23, 2022 at 2:39 PM

    Dearest Helen,
    You were a true Mama Bear; ready to watch AND rescue them from the water and otherwise!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
  9. K.HartlessMay 23, 2022 at 5:16 PM

    Brave momma. Learning new things is always challenging, but you had the motivation and the determination. So wonderful to see this old photo as well. Thank you for sharing your memories. 💜

    ReplyDelete
  10. anotherKateMay 24, 2022 at 4:22 AM

    Lovely story :) Cheers to you indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gillena CoxMay 24, 2022 at 5:49 AM

    Learned to swim at the YWCA pool still not proficient even though i live on an island
    Nice haibun Helen

    Much💛love

    ReplyDelete
  12. paeansunpluggedMay 24, 2022 at 10:54 AM

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful summer memories, Helen. Cheers to the brave mama!

    ReplyDelete
  13. LoriMay 29, 2022 at 7:16 AM

    Wonderful memory and mother's love encapsulated in one.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMay 29, 2022 at 9:54 AM

    Summer sings for children!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMay 29, 2022 at 9:55 AM

    Sara McNulty, alias Anonymous.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate each of you and the comments you leave ~~ thanks so much.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)