Two days each year

I am sure I am not alone in this world in my utter dread of two specific days of the year. Despite my best efforts, and most creative excuses, these days continue to come with the changing of the seasons and bring with them nothing but pain and frustration. One of these days arrived today. For the uninitiated, I am of course, referring to the days reserved for opening and closing the pool.

I am an individual who has removed a pool from a house, simply to avoid dealing with the yearly maintenance involved. Needless to say, I am not a fan. However, I am a huge fan of my wife and kids, and since they love pools, we have one.

The pool is an oddity to me. I have, on several occasions during the two dreaded days each year, wondered how something that brings so many of my family and friends such joy, could cause me such incredible frustration.

The very thought of a pool to most people is that of a slower pace, relaxation, a cool place on a hot summer day. Me? Nope. I see work. Daily chlorine, vacuum, solar cover, and those two awful days each year fighting with the filter and the winter cover. The pool is a job.

A job that brings family and friends together to share countless smiles. A job that provides hours of enjoyment for all who take a dip. A job that gives my kids and their friends a place to spend hot summer days for many summers to come. A job that I am one very lucky man to have.