a swim meet

It is a beautiful autumn day, the changing leaves decorating the highway as we head to Zeeland for a swim meet. I haven't seen Ella swim in a long time so I'm actually really excited to be sitting in the sauna pool area, usually something I dread but today I have a feeling of such gratitude that I am here. Just stood for the national anthem, which always makes me introspective and sometimes emotional. I remember things like that would always choke my mom up too. As proud as I am about our country, I am so sad at how it is being represented currently -- I want to send a worldwide post assuring other nations that we are not that man. Our beliefs, our actions, our hearts don't work that way.

Back to swimming. I'm a little jealous of the swimmers right now. I wish I could jump in -- but not be timed or having cheers and all that. I just would love to feel the water around me and feel my body work as strongly as it always feels when I am in water.

Ella, Audrey, and Eoghan are walking laps, their triangle formation that represents a bond that has been built over the years. That is another reason I love coming to these meets -- seeing the swimmers support each other. I do love that aspect of sports -- Maya had it with her tennis and I was always so touched by the ease and instinctual comfort the teammates offered each other. I do feel this is the best thing about being on a team -- it is another form of family that grows around you.