Today, sadness and frustration returns. I am obsessing over a past that I can’t change or control. I must remain focused on the power of living in the now. It is so easy to embrace the negative. A part of us for mysterious reasons tries to embrace self-criticism, isolation, hopelessnes, and despair.  I choose instead to let go and turn my attention to the life-affirming action of swimming.

The pool is 20 paces long by 10 paces wide. A green iron fence boxes it in on the left, and on the right a higher chain-linked fence surrounds it and the adjacent tennis courts. Bushes and ferns trimmed in red and green provide privacy along the fence line.

An A-frame house is perched on a huge orange earth-mound way above the tennis courts. I notice an American flag waving from its wooden observation deck. Oaks, elms, and pine covered mountains loom on the distant horizon directly in front of the pool.

There is a small Jacuzzi at the back. Rippling and circulating waters tempt me to jump in.

The summer Oregon sun in Cave Junction is hot on my chest and body. Dry, soothing heat emanates through the pale white and pastel blue sky.

The Jacuzzi stirs and spirals water with hypnotic motion. Dazzling, miniature spray fountains cascade sparkling light stars into its center.

My eyes drift from the Jacuzzi to the main body of the pool, which is beautifully framed by the billowy trees over the fence line. Multiple sun orbs reflect through the undulating waters. Woven light threads pulsate on the clear bottom with the mosaic colors of abalone shells.

The swoosh and splash of fresh, cool water, caresses my body as I swim leisurely through the pool with gentle breast and back strokes. This giant water massager releases all stress and tension from my mind, body, and spirit.

At the end of my swim, I remove myself joyfully and remain poolside. I bask in the heat of comforting sun rays, accompanied by a slight, gentle breeze and the seductive sounds of silence.

Time to leave, but with one last look around, I’m amazed to behold a shadow of a huge flying raptor in the center of the pool. Looking up, I breathe in the deeply peaceful vision of a solitary turkey vulture on a winged rendezvous with a hopeful future. I think I will go for another swim tomorrow.