August and everything before and after

My son’s swim team won the division championship this morning, something that the team has not done since 2006. My oldest son started swimming in 2007, so the championship win is a new experience for us. The kids all took turns posing with the division trophy this morning, smiling in the blazing sun with the pool sparkling behind them. It was a good morning. 

But it was hot, and although I like hot, it might have been too hot this morning. I have been sitting on my couch since I got home, and I don’t feel any cooler than I did when I was standing on the pool deck in the near-100 degree temperatures. I can’t seem to make myself move, and I can’t think straight. I might have a touch of heat exhaustion. I might have a little bit of sun stroke. Can you have a little bit of sun stroke? Or is that like being a little bit pregnant? 

*****

I finally got off the couch and went swimming yesterday. And I was still hot, even in the water. I really like hot weather, but of course, people like me who have air-conditioned houses and cars and jobs and easy access to swimming pools can afford to like hot weather. But having acknowledged my own privilege, I will tell you that when it’s too hot for me, then it’s just too hot. 

It’s Sunday now, and after about 9 hours of sleep, which is a LOT more sleep than I usually get, I feel almost normal again. We have one more week of summer swimming (All-Stars is next week), which means one more Sunday afternoon writing the team newsletter and answering parent questions about warm-up times and the week’s practice schedule (word to the wise–I’m not the coach and I don’t care if your swimmer is going to miss practice on Tuesday morning because he has a dentist’s appointment). 

The boys who spent Friday afternoon making a mess in my bathroom (yes, they cleaned up after themselves, but they cleaned up to teenage boy standards, which are nowhere near middle-aged lady standards) set a new team record for the boys’ 15-18 medley relay event, so their ridiculous efforts were rewarded. And now we begin the winding-down part of the summer. August will be here and over in five minutes.