Rigid

June 23, 2022

I’m an early swimmer usually showing up between 6 and 6:30 am.  In twenty-two years I’ve seen less that a dozen different people lap swimming at that time.

This morning there was one old lady who I’d seen before (YES I know, I am an old man).  She arrived this morning at the same time. I was thru the gate first but did hold it open for her—clinging to a shred of chivalry.  I went to the far side of the pool to lay my towel and such down on a chaise.  As I turned to get in the nearby lane, she was right behind me laying her stuff pool-side by the lane I was headed for.

Early swim protocol is to swim on opposite sides of the pool, especially when someone swims backstroke. Without lane ropes backstrokers stray into other lanes—and SHE does backstroke.

I gave her a puzzling look to which she said, “I want this lane because it’s out of the sun and I am burned” which obviously she was not.  She added, “that may sound a bit silly”.  I said nothing as I went to the opposite side of the pool thinking it is 6:30 in the morning even the far side of the pool is shaded.  I was thinking that’s a really lame excuse for just wanting it your way.

During my swim trance I was thinking about such rigidity.  I think it helped me swim my 525 yards in record time.  God deliver me from such craziness!  Give me insight into my own behavioral ‘rigidity’—just wanting my own way—flat out selfishness.  As I left the pool I glanced back to see her at the far corner of the pool, in the SUNSHINE.

Life goes on.  When I’m bumfuzzled or frustrated it helps to write.  Today reminded me why I love it when I have the pool to myself—which is 95% of the time.

I HAVE IT MY WAY!