Dive

For seven summers, between five and twelve years old, my green chlorinated hair would wave in the breeze like a flag, signaling to the world how I preferred to spend my days. With eagerness, I'd try to pull my father out the door while the shade still covered the water's surface; a blanket protecting the reluctant sleeper from voices and energy raised too loud and too early. I did not care how cold dad said it still was— I wanted in.

I would take my lunches with my cheek and swimsuit-covered belly pressed along the outside of chain link fence, just to keep me close enough to the rules, but not too far away from the action. When the time was right, I'd wash away my freshest layer of SPF 15, and trails left behind from mid-day nectarines, with a single splash.

It did not matter that I was a nose plugger, or that I saw no reason to flip the whole world upside down just to submerge; It was not about mastering technique, It was about mastering summer.

STOP

Five Minute Friday is back in action! The rules are simple and you just need to dive in:


1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..