Jump In

Fountainstown Beach, Cork, Ireland

"Mama, Mama", Abigail woke around six calling for me. Before joining the 5 am club, that was my new alarm clock. What can I say, I jump out of bed when I hear her call, it is a great way to start the day. I know some people will be rolling their eyes when they read this, but for me, it is true, it won't last forever and hope I will always hear her song. It was an overcast morning, but dry and warm. Since we were all up early, we thought a trip to the beach would be an excellent start to the day. Probably out of habit rather than necessity I threw a few things in the car, a towel, drink and change of clothes for Abigail. As it wasn't exactly a day for a swimming suit, we headed off in our wellies and rain jackets.

We pulled up, we spotted the usual swimmers preparing for their morning swim. The tide was out, but we could see about five enthusiasts already in the sea. This group of men and women go swimming, hail or shine in Fountaintown Beach in Cork. I am sure you can find these brave souls all over Ireland going for a chilly swim regardless of the season or weather. When I see them out in the cold water, the thought "they are living" comes to mind. I don't know why perhaps because they are connected to nature. We spotted someone we knew and went over to say hello.

Jock was busy investigating everything, sniffing the stones, seaweed and sand. New scents are a great way to tire out a beagle even more so than a 10k run, believe me, WE know.

I took Abigail down to the shore; I imagined we would paddle in the water and maybe collect a few shells. I didn't have wellies on, just light runners. We had only reached the shoreline and the next thing I knew she was walking into the sea, I was trying to say "No, no, no swimming today baby", but before I knew it, she was setting herself up for ready steady splashing and landed on all fours into the sea.

I was knee-deep in the seawater, and she was laughing her head off. The onlookers and other swimmers erupted in laughter, a few shouted,

"She is going in, she is going for a swim".

A small wave splashed her on the face, she blinked ferociously, her little nose was running, and she looked at me as if to say, "why did the water do that" before immediately splashing in again. It was one of those moments that you just had to let her enjoy it; it wasn't a learning moment, well not for her but more for me, and she went for it.

I felt like I received a defibrillator shock to the heart with a sudden jolt of life. Her bravery, courage and overall sense of adventure unexpectedly lifted me. She was soaking wet, covered in sand, cold, and her wellies were filling up with water, but she was the picture of happiness. She only started crying when I picked her up and took her back to the car to dry her off.

As we walked up the jetty, the morning swimmers were clapping, laughing, I think she lifted the spirits of everyone on the beach. We dried her off; the beach trip only lasted a few minutes, next time I will dress her in a wetsuit. I guess the lesson here is, sometimes you need to go for it and jump in, wellies and all.

Be safe and wash your hands,

Regards,

Working from Hawaii