I grew up next to a lake where I spent hours upon hours in the summer swimming, cannon balling, lounging, teetering on an inner tube, and solidifying friendships that will last me a lifetime. For a few summers I joined the summer swim team and competed against fellow swimmers – letting my hair become crisp and crude from the chlorine.
What I didn’t account for during those summer months was the love that I would develop for the water and the peace that it gives my body. In my adult life swimming is something that I know I can do and am fairly skilled at. It is one of the few things that I can keep up with Barry and, once in a blue moon, give him a run for his money.
At the start of my pregnancy I found myself back in the pool turning laps and feeling confident with each stroke. As the second trimester came I suddenly was blasted full of energy and my days filled with work, meetings and almost anything but swimming. Now, the third trimester has arrived along with a fresh new waddle, heartburn, cramps, insomnia, and a roundness that I’d rather not acknowledge.
Today I rolled into the pool and found myself in the slow lane – gasp! For a moment I felt defeated, saddened that I had slowly made the transition to the old lady lane; however, with my new found shape I suddenly sit atop the water and truly float. As I swam back and forth, back and forth, I found myself relaxed, comfortable, and peaceful.
The grace of the pool, more specifically the water, gave me comfort that has been recently difficult to find. I’m not in the lake water of my childhood or competing against another swimmer, but this time around I’m swimming for the sake of nourishment.
