May
30, 2014
My
instead: While my son Todd was in town from Phoenix, we revisited the now
defunct Belleville public swimming pool.
My
ex-husband Gary and his wife Phyllis usually plan a vacation each year for their
family. Because they were taking everyone to Kentucky this year, my son Todd
and his wife Kyra landed at Lambert Airport in St. Louis from Phoenix. Phyllis
had asked me about a month ago if I would want to pick them up and take them
back to my house. They could spend time with me for the evening and that next
morning before they all left for Kentucky. Of course, I said “Sure!”
When
I met Todd and Kyra at the airport, long, warm hugs were exchanged. Todd was
excited to be “home”. He kept saying he could smell the “green”. He was almost
childlike over seeing everything once again. And I was excited with him. Todd
was back!
When
we got to Belleville after our supper at Ruby Tuesday’s in Fairview Heights, we
hit the roadblock caused by the Shriner’s parade. We found the detour to get
around it which took us more towards the east end of town. I asked them if they
wanted to see the house that we lived in when we brought Todd home from the
hospital. They were all in for that. But on the way there, we passed the turn
to go to the old Belleville Swimming Pool. Todd wanted to revisit it and I
readily agreed. After I parked the car, he and I got out and walked around the
whole pool. And we talked. We spent a good while by the pool reminiscing about
his childhood as he shared all the memories he could muster.
Throughout
the day, I had daydreamed about having some time like this with Todd. I just
didn’t know where it would be! I told him about my earlier reverie and he suggested
that I had manifested all this to happen. All I know is that it was wonderful
hearing him express such fondness over the memories of his childhood. Isn’t
that what every parent wants to hear? Well I do. And it all happened “out by the pool”.
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