17 Years

 Waking up this morning was difficult, largely because I couldn't fall asleep last night. In a previous post about Comfort Zone I detailed my morning routine for most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, setting the alarm for 4:30am to be at swimming before 6am. When the alarm went off at 4:30, I was in a deep sleep and remember the alarm sound was incorporated in my dream. That is never a good sign because usually, I start waking up before the delicate sounds of the Apple 'Slow Rise' begins to sound on my iPad.

I was certainly glad that I had prepped the coffee maker before bed. My wake up was aided by the smell of coffee that was already brewed in the small, 4-cup coffee maker my kiddo bought me for Christmas a few years ago. After preparing my cafe au lait coffee, I sat down for a bit and turned on the news. While perusing Facebook memories, this notice popped up:

A lot sure has happened in 17 years, even though some things, like my swim routine, have stayed the same. I did a little math: 3 swims a week for 17 years means I have likely swam over 2500 times averaging 2500 yards a swim for a grand total of 6,250,000 yards or 3,551 miles. I have swam the distance from the southern tip of Florida to Canada, TWICE and across the US 1.25 times. 


I am no Forrest Gump or Robert Pope but I can better appreciate my swimming progress when looking at the numbers. I can also appreciate how much life has passed these 17 years and understand why I keep coming back to my happy place.

Just a list of what has happened in those 17 years:

~Second Marriage

~Second Divorce 

~Top 45 at 45 

~Kiddo moved from elementary to middle school to high school and college

~Got my Broker's license

~Bought an investment property (my mom's former home that was owned by my brother before her)

~Travel - France, Canada, Greece, France, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Mexico, West Glacier, Banff and so much more.

~Covid

~Momma Ott passing









~Hosanna 'Fifie' Pierre passing









~Managed a school board re-election campaign





~Worked on the Dowd for Texas campaign










~I ran for Congress










~Now, 60 to Sixty!

Just goes to show you, A LOT can and will happen in 17 years and yet, some things stay the same.









Here is to MANY more years with this coach, Carolyn, who has been a rock in my life. Always cheering all of us on and so very supportive and caring for all her Narwhals.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...



See you at the pool!








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