semi-crouching Tigger, heavin' draggin'

Wonderful time last night, at our local swim club's sure-to-be-annual "Ladies Night."  A small but awesome band of young women came out - in spite of early rain - to glory in having the whole pool to themselves.  My thanks to the two guys who stuck around until 9 to do life guard duty.  Then, they were gone, the gals were out of the pool, and it was time to just kick back & party.

It turned out to be a major milestone night for me.  I didn't take my bathing suit, since I'd assumed it would be like other parties this season - no swimming.  And there were these delightful young women - all young enough to be my daughters, maybe granddaughters - IN THE POOL.  

"Dangle your legs from the edge," they shouted out.

And I did.  Even though it meant making a complete debilitated spectacle of myself.

I have some serious issues with my left leg.  Have for over 10 years.  Had to haul over a stable chair & use it to help me ease - too clumsy for words - down to the pool skirt.  But what a reward to dangle my legs in the water!  Tempted to slip right in, my young friends were having such a good time.

Fun beyond description to watch two of them scootle over to the diving board for an impromptu competition!

As the life guard prepared to leave & the aqua belles left the pool, it was time for me to do a reverse of my getting down routine.  Knew it would be twice as tough as the descent.  If only there was video of my antics, convincing my protesting lower body that it truly wanted to heave itself up off the edge, then up to semi-crouching position, grab the chair arm, then  - in full view - heave the rest of me up.

Instead of feeling mortified, a strong sense of the Gramster swept through me.  She would never have let embarrassment over the fact of physical struggles keep her from a fun time!  When opportunity presented itself, neither did I. 

In that moment of awkward triumph, as I walked away from the pool and toward a spread of appetizers & pitchers of margaritas, strode right pass a major milestone in my own healthy, whole aging!