Childhood is short. Maturity is forever.

This entire summer, it feels like I've been working, working, working. Typical days looked like this:6-8 swim

9-10:30 weights

11-12 class

2-4 swim

4:30-7:30 class.

Well, things are drawing to a close rather quickly this summer, thank goodness! Last night I had the good fortune to hang out with some friends I hadn't seen in a long time. Did we go watch a movie? No. No, we behaved more like young kids, got some shaved ice, and went playing in some parks around Daybreak. My favorite toy will always be the zip line. My very first attempt on it, I thought you were supposed to hold onto it with your hands. I quickly found my whole body dragging in the dirt. So I sat on it. Then I stood on it. And got my sleeve stuck in the pulley. Thank goodness I have short hair. I can only imagine...

I have Sectionals this week, and two weeks after that are finals, and classes are (finally) OVER. I really look forward to swimming a "little" 5k in the gorgeous Lake Coeur D'Alene, and visiting the ocean for the third time in my life.

All this hard work has been worth it. I realize, with surprise, that my swimming career will most likely be over in about 8 months.

Will I finally cease to be introduced as "This is Natalie Edge. She's a swimmer"?

What's next? "This is Natalie Edge. She likes pet chickens."

"This is Natalie Edge. The craziest person you'll ever meet."

...

Sometimes, it's just nice to be a little kid again. Well, at heart, anyway.