The "Firsts" of Many Firsts

Aaahhhh... mid 80's, pure sunshine, bright blue sky, slight breeze out of the West... it's summer time baby and I couldn't be more happy. We heralded in this season in style, at Round Hill Bath & Tennis Club in Overland Park, KS. The doors opened at 11AM and the stream of smiling faces and pasty white bodies poured in.

We could smell grills being fired up right away and the amount of floaties, colorful inner tubes and rafts in the water would make any Macy's Day coordinator smile. As the morning progress, my main goal was to get a photo of the first person in the pool. Turns out, there were two who had a long standing bet as to who would get that bragging right. I don't know if they worked this out or not, but rumor has it, they entered the pool at the same time. That was sweet. So hat tip to Gabe and Isabel for our season's "first".

Then more "firsts" started being noticed. At 11:15AM, Bill cracked open the first beer of the season. Proud moment for all of us Bill... Congrats! Then we had the first member with crutches enter the facility... Michelle's crutches because of her torn ACL during running... well, that's a FIRST of the season. (there's always someone on crutches... a tennis player, a mom showing off her cheerleading skills from 15 years ago, bicycle accident... LOL!) Then we had the first birthday boy come in to celebrate with this family. 44 Year old Gordon! Happy Birthday Gordo!

At one point, I looked around the packed pool decks, courts, in the pool and I thought "Wow... I know everyone here." That brought a huge smile to my face... because I like all of these people and for what they bring to the club. I am on the Board of Directors VP representing the lifeguards and the pool facility itself. It is waaaaay more than the membership I am reimbursed for... and for the first time, I'm thinking "I am tired". I've been frustrated and disappointed by fellow volunteers. I feel... if you're going to volunteer for something, do it because you are an advocate and an evangelist for the not-for-profit you believe in. Not to get a free membership or to have a title. If you're going to volunteer... actually volunteer! Yet, as I watched all of these people yesterday, it made me again excited for the season. Thank God for summers.

I need a beer, grilled kabobs and do a flip off the diving board. All would be my firsts for the season.

WEAR SUNSCREEN!