As families ready for the summer, the city pool in Fayetteville opens. As a child I spent lots of summers hanging out at the pool, meeting lots of friends and swimming my summer away. One of the rough summers was when I broke my arm at gymnastics, so I was concerned about getting a cast. I was wondering, how could I swim if I had a cast? Luckily the doctor understood my concerns and allowed me to have a splint instead. I will say this, I didn’t wear the splint, or the splint and the apparatus like I should, which caused me to forever bowl differently.
I got nicknames at the pool. I made really good friends. I remember a friend named Myra who lived next to the pool. We would go and hang out at her house, which was a beautiful stone house right next to the pool. It wasn’t until years later that I realized who her father was. It was a very serendipitous moment when I realized Myra’s dad was the same man I used to dance with at George’s. I got quite a kick out of that. Myra lives up north now, her old home is being remodeled by probably new owners. They’re actually combining two houses and making one. It’s amazing how this community continues to change and evolve. Wilson Park continues to be a great asset to families in our community.
It’s amazing to me how summer feels so different to me now, compared to those younger years. I was fortunate to be able to go to Wilson Park, the Boys and Girls Club, to play at home, and be at my parents work in the transitions between school and summer.
I remember being at the Boys and Girls Club, doing endless back handsprings and endless twirls on the parallel bars. Anything gymnastics-related, I was there, I was doing it. Then things changed for me and when I quit doing gymnastics as much, I started working in the snack bar. Working for me has always been something I enjoyed. Working on new projects, trying out new things, seems to be a consistent piece that I like to do. Like I’ve said before, the first phone I ever answered was a Star Shopper phone. It’s nice to not have to answer my phone at Star Shopper anymore. Now I just answer as Sarah, and determine if it’s business or pleasure or what.
Families wind down from the busy school year and look forward to their quiet summer of rest, relaxation, vacation, and whatever else it brings. They know that this season will change, and there will come a time when they will long for the busy… and will keep straight all of the schedules and plans.
One of the mantras that I say often is “do what you can when you can”. Rest when you can, play when you can, study when you can, and so on. Watch movies, go on trips, read the book that you’ve been holding off reading. Why wait for just the right time when you can just sit for a whole day and read a book. As Ellen in finding Nemo said, “Keep swimming!!!!”
NEWS RELEASE: Wilson Park Pool to open Saturday, May 25
