No, I can’t quilt. But I realized I have so many race t-shirts that I love and had wonderful memories, but I didn’t want to give them to Goodwill. I EARNED those shirts. I ran miles, biked, skated, walked for days, and even jumped in Lake Michigan on New Year’s Day.
Jan 1, 2014, was the second time I drove to Waukegan and jumped in the freezing cold Lake Michigan waters. In 2012 the lake was beautiful, there was no snow, no ice, it was a very mild winter (if that’s not an oxymoron). In 2014, the event was as “polar vortex opposite” as you can be. The rescue divers were only about 2 feet deep. There was a crane and heavy machinery that cracked the ice just enough for the participants to run into the water.
I left with cuts and bruises all over my legs from the ice. But I also left with a power that no one can take from me. I felt alive! And by alive, I mean my skin was tingling from nearly being frostbitten. But I felt like I could conquer anything. I could achieve any goal this year. I hate being cold, as I sit and write this article I have 2 pairs of socks, 3 shirts, and a blanket over my lap and yoga pants, and I’m in my nice warm 68-degree house.
So if I could convince myself to do a polar plunge, I could really do anything. And you can too!
Take the Plunge! Visit www.plungeillinois.com to find out more. All plungers receive a hooded sweatshirt and all proceeds benefit the Special Olympics of Illinois.
Let us know if you’re registered below in the comments! And best wishes for a safe and empowering plunge!
Cheryl is an aspiring writer from Mundelein. You can now follow her on her author journey on Amazon.
Get a copy of her first book, Letter’s to my Children, available on Kindle now.
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