More Grief

I'm not a good swimmer, but I haven't drowned.

I remember the first time I dove into the pool for exercise.  I was at the Francis Family YMCA and I had decided that I needed to add swimming to my weekly exercise.  I told myself that I had to stay in the pool for 20 minutes or 10 laps (there and backs).  At first, it was the 20 minutes, but soon I was out of there in less than 20.

I changed my plan and committed to 30 minutes of time versus counting laps.  I remember doing four different strokes (breast, right side, left side, and back).  I was a faithful 'swimmer'.  Not that fast but I didn't drown.  I swam for three years until I stopped five years ago.

I stopped because in 2010, the year I turned 50, my house caught fire and I lived with my brother for six months while the damage was repaired.  The stress of it caused be to develop shingles.  I didn't think shingles were a good thing to put in the pool water so I stopped.  After two months, I was out of the habit.

Why am I writing about swimming?  It won't bring Haylee back.  Someday, I'll accept that she's gone.  Until then, perhaps it's time to jump back in the water.

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