My dear friend Suzy is persistant.
She has invited us over to swim more than once, but I've been a little overwhelmed by the prospect of keeping all four of my children from drowing when I have only two arms (not to mention that the few previous attempts have been met with little-to-no enthusiasm).
She kept asking, and since my mom was around to watch the little guys, I had a trial run with the big boys. Only a little coaxing was needed before they both were wet and having a fun time.
My confidence soared; Suzy called again; it was time for the whole gang.
Little did she realized, however, that our family is jinxed.
Back in my youth, my dad would periodically take my sister and I on dates. (Now that I have small children of my own, I realize that these "dates" were probably more like directives from my mother who was tired and needed a little peace and quiet). Sometimes we went to the movies (cheap night, of course); sometimes to the local pool.
Memories are funny things. It may have only happened once or twice, but in my mind, every time we reached the ticket office at the theater, the person before us bought the last ticket; or in the case of the pool, there was suddenly a thunderstorm brewing in the distance and a far-off rumbling cleared the overly-chlorinated water. All was not lost, however; the Baskin-Robbins still had mint chocolate chip and all was right in the world.
Anywho, this brings me back to Suzy. Had she only known that inviting the Hamills to swim would instantly erase summer drought, I'm sure she would have insisted earlier and saved some time and money on watering. Two outings were rained out.
Third time's a charm, however, as "the sun shone bravely down and a lovelier day could not have been wished for."
Finally something to help ease the heat of summer.
