What intense times we are living in! I hope you are all finding ways to stay grounded, centered, and connected with each other midst the daily reminders of the world’s drama and suffering. As part of my way to remain true to myself in this intense world, I am planning to swim the 1.2 mile width of Cayuga Lake again on August 10th to raise money for Hospicare of Tompkins County. My 19th time swimming! I have been feeling how fragile life is these days, and I am grateful there are organizations like Hospicare to help us all cope with the losses of dear friends and family. These loses seem to be happen so often lately.
Writing this letter is always a time for me contemplate life and connect with friends and family in this small way. In March I traveled to Costa Rica with 5 friends. One of our adventures was climbing through the dense jungle to the top of a mountain and spending the night at a small camp there. In the morning while eating breakfast, I watched a beautiful Blue Morpho butterfly drift by. These beautiful beings entire lifespan lasts only 115 days. The Blue Morpho reminded me of the richness of our ephemeral time on this planet. I imagine each of us like a butterfly here for a brief moment marked in years, not days, but fragile none the less. All I can hope to do is follow my heart on this journey, and try to make a difference in all the suffering and craziness of our world, just by being myself. I feel grateful for everyday I am alive and healthy and able to experience life and its wonders. When I jump in the lake or my pond to swim, I can once again connect with life’s magic as I make my way through the water. Knowing you are all out there cheering me onward helps inspire me to reach my goal.
I always swim in honor of my father who passed away on March 31, 2011, at the age of 84. Now 13 years ago! He was a great swimmer and he taught me how to swim. He swam almost 1 mile five days per week until the days before he died. Each year my father came to the event to cheer for me and take photos as I finished. I miss him greatly. When the swimming gets hard as I make my way across the lake, I remember his daily swims and it helps me push forward.
Hospicare needs our support now more than ever. The services they provide are made possible by this event. This is a time when profit making agencies are providing minimal services to their patients and families. Hospicare of Tompkins County is dedicated to providing what its clients need. They go the extra distance for all who they serve. In supporting the swim with your donations you are helping them continue their mission.
I hate asking people for money, and I know some of you will not be able to make a donation, and that is fine. But if you can, know that you are making a donation to a place where every dollar counts in their ability to provide services for people in need, and their loved ones! Donations are tax deductible.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the swim in the past.
If you would like to make a credit card donation you can do so on line at: They have made it really easy to donate through their web site. Click on the “Donate” links, Click the blue link that says “Choose Lake Swimmer/Go the Distance Fundraiser”, then pick my name to support me as a swimmer.
If you wish to send the donation directly to Hospicare, here is their address:
Women Swimmin'
Hospicare and Palliative Care services of Tompkins County
172 East King Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Just make sure you list my name as the swimmer you are sponsoring.
If you would like to learn more about Hospicare and this event, please visit www.hospicare.org. Feel free to contact me with any questions about the event. Thanks for considering this request.
