Determination won the day.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (28490)
August 19, 2022 1:32am CST
My oldest son has always wanted an in-ground pool. Well, we all know they are pricey to purchase and require regular maintenance and attention. He has a family and is a busy fellow.
This spring, he decided he was going to have his pool. He measured, surveyed, called people, looked up prices and possibilities, and started in. For a month, he dug. By hand. He filled 20 five-gallon buckets with dirt every day. A guy with a truck came every evening, and picked them up, and left 20 empty buckets. He needed the dirt for a project of his own and my son said he could have it. Eventually the desired pool was dug to my son's specifications, and he installed the motor, a cleaning station, put in the liner and the trim around the edges, and so forth. He did get some help to put in the deck, as the materials he used were fairly heavy for one man to try to drag around. So, it was done at the end of June.
He put in new fencing and gates. The kids love it. I think it's a big success!
I have known a lot of people who have pools. I have never known anyone who dug his own pool by hand, but he was so determined. It turned out so well, I just have to brag on him.
9 people like this
12 responses
@Beestring (13318)
• Hong Kong
19 Aug 22
Very nice pool. Your son is a determined person.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
He certainly is. But, the one trait he has that I am the most proud of is his huge, caring heart. He does so much for others, including me. Thank you.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
•
19 Aug 22
@Beestring
It makes a mom feel pretty good to know she has a good kid, or kids. Thank you.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
19 Aug 22
Congratulations to your son! I wouldn't have dug a pool by hand. (But I'm lazy. 
)
)2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
19 Aug 22
@MarieCoyle You're very welcome...
Uhm... isn't it his money to spend, though? Surely, if he's spending too much, his wife will say something.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
•
19 Aug 22
@DaddyEvil
Oh, I never voice it to him or to anyone. It's his to spend or save and I am aware of that.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
Sometimes, I worry he spends too much money, but he surely does enjoy building things. Thank you, DE.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
One of my other kids has an inground pool, it was there when they bought the house. They enjoy it, but when the babies were born they installed a heavy iron fence around it with a lock and an alarm, as they were afraid of harm coming to the littles. Not sure how that would happen as they are never unattended and watched very closely, but we have had friends who lost a child to a pool and they were careful, too, so it's made us very cautious.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
•
19 Aug 22
He gets in the pool every evening after dinner, and is enjoying it.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79708)
• United States
19 Aug 22
Wow that's really determination for sure and kudos to your son for digging that pool by himself. It certainly looks ready to dive into
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79708)
• United States
19 Aug 22
@MarieCoyle it's certainly nice to hear about your son andcwhat a hard worker he is. After all his exhausting work I'm sure the pool is a delightful way to relax. I'm sure you're very proud of your son
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
He is simply amazing. He has redone his entire home, laid lovely wooden floors, torn down walls and rebuilt rooms, redid his entire kitchen, and the bathrooms. Plus he works full time (and maybe more) and coaches baseball and is an active father. His wife works as much as he does. Truly family oriented and I am very thankful for that.
The pool was such a project. Had to be completely level, and he is so picky about stuff, I think by the end of the installation and such he was worn out. Thanks.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
•
19 Aug 22
@Marilynda1225
I'm proud of all 4 of them. All very different, yet all very good to their old mom! Thanks.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26780)
• United States
19 Aug 22
Well, it was a win win situation too, for he helped his neighbor with the dirt and saved lots digging himself. Yes, it's a beautiful pool!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
They are enjoying it a lot this summer. Thank you.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
20 Aug 22
@MarieCoyle I am sure the children are very happy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
Rarely does he ever give up on anything. Very determined!
1 person likes this
@ketinaharriet (397)
• Nairobi, Kenya
19 Aug 22
It's a great determination, digging holes by hands is so common where I am from. Like it's cheap labour and and it works as means of employment to many.
1 person likes this
@ketinaharriet (397)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Aug 22
@MarieCoyle I see why, and he had the time to do it for himself and that lead to him to cut cost
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
In this case, it was only him doing the digging. He wanted to do it himself and the prices quoted to get it done were ridiculously high.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66585)
• India
19 Aug 22
This looks amazing and glad he was able to get it done as per his requirements
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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19 Aug 22
He is extremely picky. If it's not right, he thinks he has to start all over again!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28490)
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20 Aug 22
He says he makes a point to carve bits of time out to get into the pool and enjoy it.
1 person likes this
