Since I was a little girl, I heard of grandma’s accomplishment of swimming across Rangeley Lake. I don’t know the year that she did it but it was a story I heard about each time I visited our camp. In the back of my mind, I always wondered if I could do the same and in the most recent years, I have felt an urge to do it myself. So, I put it on my Bucket List.
Well, today was the perfect day to honor her legacy… and we did it. At around 10am EST this morning, Kristian and I adorned our wetsuits (me in a shorty and Kristian in a wetsuit top) and hopped in the boat with my brother and Riley to be taken to the other side. We both thought it would be easier to swim towards the dock as home base rather than away from it, which turned out to be a good choice. The lake was unusually calm for our task and the sun was out shining bright. As soon as we got in the water, a Loon welcomed us with its call and presence. In unison we began to freestyle across the lake, swimming just a little over a mile in 50 minutes. Chris rowed the boat next to us to ensure we were safe and protected from the other speed boats that pulling water skiers nearby. Thoughts of grandma and her legacy filled my head as I took each stroke. Upon each breath I caught glimpses of Kristian and I swimming in harmony side by side and felt such gratitude for being able to share these moments together. My thoughts drifted in and out of complete presence to gratitude – especially for the lake and all it has given me over my lifetime. I found myself thanking the Lake for it’s ability to nurture my soul, clean my body, and release the physical and non-physical impurities from myself. I thanked it for being the home of my favorite creature – the Loon – for it’s majestic beauty and piercing voice. I thanked my body for being able to accomplish this feat. I thanked Kristian for being the best husband, partner, and father I could have ever dreamt of as I glided with him side by side.
We were greeted and celebrated by my mom, holding my nephew – baby Jake on the dock. It was a beautiful accomplishment and I felt relieved and grateful to check that one off my Bucket List.
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