The Deep End of the Pool

I never had a pool before but I do now. I didn’t even want a pool, in fact as our family began our search for a home a few months ago, not having a pool was on our list, okay maybe it was only on mine. Most people when looking for a home start with a “must have” list; I started with a “must not have” list.

I had many reasons for not wanting a pool such as the concern of the additional operational costs, the fact that I didn’t have a clue how to care for a pool and with that ignorance the potential that I would wake up to a swamp in my backyard. I also assumed that after the novelty of the pool wore off, I would be the one solely responsible for it’s upkeep.

Maybe my aversion to owning and caring for a pool comes from an all too familiar childhood memory of when my family would visit a public pool or enjoy a friend’s pool. I was the kid who stood shivering on the side while everyone else would be pleading with me to “jump in already!” Such pressure to conform.

What I didn’t realize back then was that getting into the water, not just dipping my toe in occasionally or wading into the shallow end to hold off the plea of my family, but to actually jump into the deep end was when I would be most comfortable. The whole pool experience would actually be more enjoyable, even warmer, than standing on the side, dipping my toe to test the waters, only to be reminded every few minutes that it really was too cold and only a fool would subject themselves to such frigid temperatures.

As I look back over my first month in my new role here at Connexus I can honestly say that I am thrilled to have finally jumped into the deep end. After taking some time, dipping my toe in every once in a while to test the waters, a valuable process in this case, I can say without a doubt; it’s way better in the deep end than simply cautiously wading into the shallow end.

After months of meetings with the most amazing staff I have ever met, after meeting many wonderful volunteers, as I have had opportunity to crash some small groups and meet some terrific small group leaders, after some valuable time at our Barrie campus in June, and to finally be settling into our Orillia campus, I can say that I am enjoying the deep end of the pool.

Just last night, my family enjoyed some pool time; that is, Kathy and the kids were swimming and I was reading in a comfortable chair. Eventually I jumped in though and we had the best time, diving for rings and playing games that I didn’t really understand, but it didn’t matter. Finally jumping into the deep end was worth it.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve here at Connexus and I’m glad that I didn’t stay on the side dipping my toe, but finally took the plunge. It’s way better in the deep end of the pool.