When I think of healing, I think of wholeness or the process working toward wholeness. That is how I feel about water, cold water especially. Until yesterday I had not been in anything other than chlorinated warm water for about 10 days. Just in that short time I began to doubt my abilities to swim cold water. As soon as I near the South End Rowing Club my brain begins to produce all of the right chemicals or hormones to change my self doubt. I find myself starting to shake with excitement; my body begins thermoregulation meaning my internal temperature rises. I bet if I took my temperature prior to entering the water I would notice that I have a small fever. All of this self adjustment allows me to swim cold water. I can swim cold water! I just learned that about myself last year.

There is something about the cold water that helps me with the healing process. Bob roper told me today that every time you swim you add 4 minutes to your life. He also said “There is no reason to NOT swim unless you are dead.” I told him my plan to swim everyday until I am 100 and then on my 100th birthday I will go for a swim, eat a good breakfast and then check out to the big ocean in the sky. He said it sounded like a good plan.

So in preparation for Point Bonita on Monday I will continue the healing journey with the help of the cold water of the beautiful San Francisco Bay.