Summer Swan Song

The summer is coming to a close again and normally I would say not a moment too soon. But this summer has been different for me in a number of ways.

First though, I must tell you of a summer tragedy. The pool at my gym is closing down.

Owing to age, budget cuts and expensive repairs, the owners at our local pool have decided to close it at the end of August. I find it distressing. For some time now I've enjoyed visiting it on Sunday afternoons. I walk the pool's length several times, I do aerobics, I swim, I float -- all in cool comfort. Afterwards, I sit in the whirlpool to relax and then spend a few minutes in the steam room before changing and heading home. For the rest of the day, the scent of chlorine lingers on my skin, and both my body and my brain flounder like wet noodles.

Woe is me. It will all end this month.

But there have been other surprising joys this summer, from a girl who counts spring and fall as her favorite times of the year. I was able to plant a garden this year, and though the results weren't spectacular, it was okay fun to share with my friends.

I went on summer vacation, a miracle in and of itself, and I have a depth of appreciation for my trip to Charleston that I can't really express. It wasn't just a vacation. It was rest. It was recuperation when I particularly needed it. I won't soon forget that lesson: when you really need a rest, don't deny yourself. You short change yourself and you short change others.

And above all, this summer I found a new direction for myself. I've been talking about it (and will continue to post about it) in the upcoming months in my "Real Goal Getter" posts, but the wonderful Ah-hah! moment came in the summer.

And by God, it's rare for me to think during the hottest time of the year. Surely that's a sign that things are stirring.

I hope you all had a wonderful summer as well. Now stand back people, here's hoping for a truly amazing fall...

--Laura