Tag Archives: Mental Health
January is for Self-care
No matter where you live in this vast country, the past week has been a tough one. From deadly wildfires in California to deadly arctic conditions up and down the East Coast, to crazy in a little town called Washington, all of which has left us feeling an array of unfathomable devastation and crippling dread. Searching my previous posts reveal many such moments when tragedy spoke loudly and brought us to our knees. Watching people rise from such suffering is indeed miraculous and this January asks nothing less. But there is much to do before we will be upright, for first we must nurture our selves. Thankfully there are generous people to help us do just that, and they don’t ask for a dime. Read on to hear about two such gems.
Swimmers
I was born into a family of swimmers, destined to dive into whatever body of water appeared in front of us, with little thought about temperature or current or logic, and I must say this one familial trait is one that I am most grateful for on the day to day through all my years. Both my parents were keen swimmers from start to finish and made sure that their whole brood learned the skill, as they did for my children too. Despite all their best preparations, I did almost drown one summer afternoon when I was probably five or six and we were all enjoying Jones Beach on Long Island. I followed an older brother out beyond my own ability, and eventually lost my strength. He buoyed me as best he could until the strong arm of the lifeguard pressed tight across my chest and ferried me to shore where my panicked parents stood waiting. When I recall that singular event I feel no fear only the salt water coursing around me, waves clipping my face, the broad blue below and above equally enticing, feeling safe somehow. I remember the whole experience with love too, water logged love.
Nine Cent Girl 