A Reflective Moment

This past weekend, I worked as a timer for 

the 2016 SwimFest, the long course championships 

for age group swimmers from clubs all over

the state of Indiana.

It is frenetic, crowded and noisy

with the shouts of family and friends

drowning out the sounds of the swimmers' 

rhythmic splashing as they swim

the length of the Natatorium's 50-meter pool.

Their slim, fit bodies belie the image

we get of the obese, couch-bound teenager;

these kids are fit, confident, and motivated. 

I am pleased to be able to help them

with my time because they also

serve to keep me motivated --

you have no idea how embarrassing 

it is to know that a 12-year-old can swim

any of their events in one-half the time

it would take me to do the same.

This pictures were taken after the meet Saturday night.

I was waiting for the bus as the sun set, 

and was able to catch the reflections of the fading light 

in the windows of the IUPUI Student Union 

building across the way.