Monday, September 5, 2005

This Summer I Went Swimming

  Precisely the same time each day a group of campers, 6 years of age, were marched down to the lake for their hour of swim time.

  The group was divided, the swimmers and the non swimmers. The swimmers were marched down a long pier that led to the middle of the lake. The non swimming group, stayed right at the shallow part, which was surrounded by a dock. This was the "learning pen". That is where I spent my summer afternoons. During that hour, the counselors would spend a few minutes with each of us, giving instructions.

  I can still recall feeling the arms of the counslor under my chest, and his commandments "kick,kick,kick!" My eyes would be closed, my cheeks swollen from its one big gulp of air!

  One eventful day, while doing my kicking and thrashing, I found myself hitting the edge of the dock. I looked around and to my amazement I was fifteen feet from from my cheerful counselor! That was it! I sawm! I took another gulp of air,kicked and thrashed and made the return trip! I was a swimmer!

  Up to that point, nothing had given me such a boost of self esteem. I was officially emancipated from land! In the next few days I proved that I had earned my fins and was released from the group of "guppies", and allowed to swim with the other group in the middle of the lake.

  Many summers later I encountered another new environment. A mysterious and well cloaked realm that compelled my exploration. The female! This soft skinned, finely scented species, was so pretty and so new to me. How was I to navigate this new enviornment?

  Well, like that beginning swimmer of years before, I kicked and thrashed, took deep gulps of air and swallowed water. I nearly drowned in my own pool of tears.

  Then a cool Summer's night, I found the most  tender of touches on my heart. The feeling was so reassuring , there could be no stopping me. The soft touch of  Young Love was sweeter and and more compelling than anything I had ever known!

  Each "goodnight" was accompanied with a kiss that conveyed a passionate and magnetic energy. I could feel my emancipation from a solitary world of oneness and innocence.

  It is this time of year, at Summers end, that I fondly recall the episodes of my summer fun and romance. The emancipated young man who was able to boast "This Summer I  Went Swimming".

Milestones and moments....may you all reflect fondly upon  all of them.   Marc :)

(I'm the one second from the top the of ladder)

 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

very nice,  lol I remember one late summers night  with a  boyfriend struggling to hang on to virtue. in the park, virtue won thankfully, but it was an awesome night!!!
~Julie

Anonymous said...

love your story, actually ALL your stories!
You always have me fondly reminiscing.
; )
Thank you kindly~
Marie

Anonymous said...

Although in my part of the world it's the mean end of winter, I thank you for your reminicences of summer, childhood and youth.  It's reassuring to remember that we all have to "take the plunge" and our experiences are similar across the world and the sexual divide.  Regards Susan

Anonymous said...

I posted this before I read this entry, but it's very apropos of this pic of my son and his sweetheart: http://journals.aol.com/emmapeeldallas/talkingtomyself/entries/539

Beautifully written, Marc, as always...

Judi

Anonymous said...

An appropriate entry for summer's end.  I will surely miss summer this year because we didn't really get to take a vacation this year but won't miss the Florida heat.  You look cute atop that ladder.  What a nice entry.  You sure do have the gift of writing.  I hope you are hiding some bestsellers in your desk or something somewhere and I'll be able to say, yes, that guy is my j land buddy!  Hugs,
Lisa    

Anonymous said...

Love the story. My grandkids are learning to swim, the oldest has made it across the pool on her own and is very proud of it.  They are years from romance however, their young parents have enough to worry about without all that right now...LOL    Sandi

Anonymous said...

Ooooo, love those kind of goose-bump inducing memories!
Tammy

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story....you little stud you!!!  xoxo

Anonymous said...

that was a great story...you really have a talent for reaching out and pulling us into your inspiring experience....(much better than me...my stories start out positive then usually end up with me discussing how i made a jacka** out of myself---again!)  :)  thanks for sharing...
kendra

Anonymous said...

Isn't it wonderful to spend time in a special memory?  To let your mind drift back for a few minutes and feel those feelings again. Thank you for sharing one of your memories with words that allow us to see the smile on your face and feel the racing of your heart. :)

Anonymous said...

I like this entry, very much. Ah, first love... Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us...  

Anonymous said...

heyhey babby your amazing and ways off explaining things phsinate me. first love ,that gave me purpose.

Anonymous said...

This was a wonderful and beautiful memory. Thank you for recording it and sharing it with all of us.

Anonymous said...

How lovely when your first experience with love is warm and wonderful! May you continue to have those tender, reassuring moments throughout the remainder of your life as well!
Maryanne

Anonymous said...

Love the photograph!
Judith

Anonymous said...

Your entries just get better and better!  I'm taken aback to the day when...  ummm...  I can only close my eyes and relive it, for words cannot describe the experience.
Thanks, you brought tears of joy to my eyes once again!
Best,
Judith
http://journals.aol.com/jtuwliens/MirrorMirrorontheWall

Anonymous said...

I remember the summers of my youth and smile!!!!

Great journal!

Mary Louise

http://journals.aol.com/mlrhjeh/WatchingMySisterDisappear

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful memory. There is such acheivement in accomplishing something like a form of freedom.
Congrats on being an editor pick, well deserved!
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written - and interesting that you see yourself 'emancipated' from innocence....I wish I had not given mine up so easily, just so "He" would like me more.....ah, perspective.