The Story Beneath the Surface

In 2002 my mother’s good friend, Carole Ann Waid, invited her to teach swim lessons together. It all started in Carole Ann’s backyard, where her pool became the gathering place for a handful of kids excited to learn how to swim. What began as a simple idea, teaching kids how to be safe in the water, quickly grew into something much bigger.

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That pool was often filled with the sound of excited splashes, giggles, and the occasional nervous hesitation of a child dipping their toes into the water for the first time. LaDonna’s warmth and patience brought out the best in every swimmer, whether they were learning to float or taking their first strokes. Many would even say she was magic. Soon, word spread, and what was once a quiet backyard lesson turned into a bustling hub of families eager to sign their kids up.

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After several years, there were simply too many swimmers for one backyard to handle. That’s when my family started seriously talking about putting a pool in our own backyard. It wasn’t long before every inch of our backyard was filled with children and families, all with one common goal: to be confident and safe in the water. The lessons continued every summer, and each year, more and more children learned from Mrs. LaDonna.

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I remember the anticipation every year on March 1st, staying up late with my mom as she sat at the computer, watching the first registration emails roll in at midnight (so I know it’s crazy we still do this, but it’s a sweet memory and a tradition!) The joy, the stories, the laughter; Mrs. LaDonna wasn’t just a swim teacher, she created a community, a family, and a part of our home. It was a place where children overcame their fears, learned life-saving skills, and made memories that would last a lifetime. Even the tears—tears of frustration, fear, and sometimes joy—were part of the process, a testament to the bravery and growth of every swimmer who came through.

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When my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016, the backyard grew quiet. For the first time in as long as I could remember, there were no excited voices, no splashing water, no lessons being taught. The absence of those swimmers made our backyard seem so lonely in the summers. Yet, I knew, as I’m sure my mom did too, that those kids had given her something immeasurable. They had brought her so much joy.

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Teaching those children, watching them overcome their fear and become confident in the water, was not just a job for my mom—it was her passion, her mission. It wasn’t just about swimming; it was about giving them a skill that could save their lives. Even after my mom went to be with Jesus in 2017, the impact she had on so many families was never lost. It will always be a part of who we are, which is why Bridget, and I created LaDonna’s Pool of Joy, to continue the legacy, and put joy back in this pool that has transformed so many swimmers.

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