Learning to swim was pretty much a requirement in my family. We spent weekends boating and water skiing where my grandparents lived. It was the entire family’s responsibility to help each family member learn to swim. I remember a confusing blend of fear and determination—fear that the person holding me would drop me into the murky water, and determination to push forward so that I could swim like everyone else. My grandmother was my favorite swimming teacher. She was steady and consistent, firm in what she expected of me, but tolerant and patient, with a love that I guess only grandparents possess. Besides, she lived at the lake, so I figured she was a swimming expert.

This issue of The NA Way sparked memories of those long, hot summer days at the lake. Of course, “How long can you tread water?” started the thought process, and then “Why contribute?” reminded me of how everyone in the family contributed to helping others learn to swim, loading and unloading the boat, and installing the dock every spring. Members’ shares on change and growth took me back to the mix of fear and excitement of learning new things, developing a new role in the family, and growing up over the course of the summer. And this month’s “Picture this” (a little bit different from what you’re used to seeing in these pages) reminds me of the love of my families—both my childhood family and our amazing worldwide NA family.

De J, Editor

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