I'M VERY COLD!!!

For the second week in a row, when I got to my swimming lesson last night and was waiting for Kaitlyn, my teacher, one of the other instructors came up to me and said, “Ma’am, we don’t have lap swim at this time. This is just for lessons.” And for the second week in a row I replied, “I know I’m taller than the other kids, but I am here for a lesson, too.” Maybe by the 8th and final week they will be used to me.

It’s been a long time since I have been around a lot of preschoolers. I used to teach preschool and I had a preschooler of my own for a while, until he grew into a grade schooler, dreaded middle schooler, terrifying teenager, and wonderful young man. But it is really fun to watch them jumping around and splashing in the water, learning to do all the things I did not learn when I was their age. They have cute little voices and stylin’ bathing suits. The only thing that makes me a little cross is that they get toy time at the end of their lesson and I do not. And last week they got to ride in a big inflatable boat while the teacher pushed them around the pool and I did not. Totally unfair.

Last night it was 21 degrees and dropping when I went to my swimming lesson. I was dreading the end of the lesson, when I would have to get out of the pool and make my freezing way to the locker room. But I made it through once again without drowning; in fact I came less close to drowning than ever before and even was able to back stroke for a whole length, including over the deep end. I hit Kaitlyn twice and kicked her once but she seemed to take it in stride; I guess they don’t get hazard pay but they probably should.

When I got out of the pool I toweled off as much as possible and hurried as fast as I could to get in a hot shower. While I was in the shower, I heard a woman come into the locker room with her little girl, who had also been in swimming lessons. The little girl said, “I’m very cold!” Then a little louder she said, “I’M VERY COLD!” Then over and over, “I’M VERY COLD!” All in her high-pitched little voice. I was like, “Yeah, little sister, I feel your pain.” She did not stop her complaints until she had been showered, dried, and dressed in her pajamas to go home. I wanted to join her in the complaining and then put on my jammies and go home, but I had to go to a meeting. Totally unfair.