About this morning: The Little Miss and I set out to continue the WaveMasters Society Polar Plunge tradition for my 8th — her 2nd — time. The water was a few degrees cooler than it was last year, but the weather was about 20° cooler, so I knew it would be a challenge. Fun fact: I spent the past week sick in bed, and this was only day 2 of quasi-wellness (still coughing) π¬
We gave ourselves about 10 minutes to get acclimated (disrobed) before it was time to plunge. She got about thigh deep in the water before she tapped out! I picked her up and tried carrying her until I was a little over knee deep, but she ππΎ was ππΎ done ππΎπ³️ We headed back to the other half of our family where I wrapped her in a towel before tagging The Mr. in so I could complete my mission.
I found a clear path and waded back out farther than usual, because I was on a mission this year. I caught a couple waves and swam around for a bit, because, even though the water was so cold that it hurt, the pain was a reminder that I was alive. I’d survived another year and knew at least a handful of friends and family members who were not as fortunate. I kicked myself for leaving my goggles in the bag with my family, because I wanted to stay out there longer and reflect, but, for the first time since 2016, the whole family was together again, and I had to put them first. So, I caught one more wave and swam — eyes closed, of course — back in