It all begins around Memorial Day. As I ride my bike into the Ridgeland Common parking lot, I hear the rhythmic splash-splash-splash and see elbows in the air through the black mesh fence.
The ritual of summer lap swim has begun.
Young and old, strong swimmers and beginners, all gather for a little exercise and the chance to swim laps under the sky.
As I enter the pool area, I look for familiar faces and peruse the lanes — Slow, Medium, and Fast. I look for space in the Medium lanes. Lane 4 has five people already and Lane 5 has only four, so I choose Lane 5.
I put on my cap, grab my goggles and snorkel and enter the water. So refreshing on a hot day. But equally good on a cool day, when the water feels warm.
I begin what is for me a bi-weekly moving meditation — moving through the water, sometimes counting my strokes, paying attention to my breathing, hearing songs in my head, like Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” when I see the bows and flows of angel-hair clouds while doing the back stroke.
After my swim, I chat with friends and strangers on the pool deck. There are lots of regulars, many who come every day. Somehow there are many teachers and retired teachers. It’s a piece of summer vacation. We even celebrate “National Life Guard Appreciation Day” on July 31. Everyone cheers and thanks all the young people who vigilantly watch over us all summer.
Fast forward to Labor Day. The last day the pool is open and the last day of lap swim, this time at Rehm. It’s crowded today. So many have come for their last chance to lap swim this season.
As I gather my belongings after a good swim, I overhear conversations: “It’s been a pleasure swimming with you this year.” “See you next summer, I guess.” “It’s so sad that it’s the last day,” and “There’s nothing like swimming outside.”
Mary Scherer-Emunds
Oak Park