Defined: To jump right in, specifically referring to jumping in to ice cold oceans, Great lakes and little lakes and ice-cold pools. Like Sandy does.
May I introduce… Sandy. My high school classmate that allowed me to see what it’s like to fully live and love every moment INCLUDING the frigid waters on the beautiful shores on the east coast of Australia. My sad reality is that 4 years ago I refused to feel the discomfort of a few moments of freezing waves splashing against me and I chose instead to take photos of Sandy running and jumping into the waves, screaming from the cold and laughing and smiling in the joy of the moment. Yes. I missed it. Because it was too cold.
I most likely will never again be on the shores of these beautiful ‘down under’ beaches and I chose comfort over a temporary numbing water temperature. Not Sandy. With all her encouragement I still declined, she didn’t complain she just turned and ran right in.
This year I discovered the amazing healing benefits of something called Cold Therapy. It’s when a person chooses to immerse themselves into cold water; ice filled bathtub, lakes or OCEANS. Are you kidding. This is a thing? I missed actual healing benefits of choosing to be ice cold, like Sandy. Well, that changes everything. I am going to attempt to be more like Sandy, I’m jumping in. And I have! Three times so far! Yes, SO crazy cold and SO kind of adventurously fun!
Just two days ago I chose to swim into the ice cold water of L. Superior for me yet somehow I needed to. For Sandy.
You see Sandy is now facing the greatest challenge of her life as she returns to her Australian home down under without her husband of 28 years by her side. Their future plans, their dreams of growing old together abruptly and tragically ended just a few days before Sandy’s 60th birthday. Never could they have imagined their usual summer trip to Wisconsin while winter in Australia would be his final journey beside his wife, his “Sunshine”….Sandy.
I am praying daily for Sandy. For her journey home, for her healing, for the stages of grief she is now forced to walk through. Though she may have the most supportive family. Though she definitely has the coolest class of ’81 and ’60 and Fabulous’ group of classmates she will still have to walk through this deeply painful journey.
Sandy, please keep walking, please keeping jumping into those ice cold Australian or Wisconsin waters. Keep living.
Today, you turned 60 and it’s so hard to say “Happy Birthday” because happy just doesn’t seem right or fair to you today. I can say that I am so grateful that 60 years ago you were gifted to this world and I am so grateful you introduced me to “jumping in” to not missing the moments to realizing that the blood and warmth does eventually return to your legs!
Much love and so many prayers for Sandy as she walks into this next year of her life…. forever changed.
Your friend and a surviving member of the ‘Grieving Women’ and current member of the ’60 and Fabulous Club’ you just joined!
SuAnne
For Such a Time As This 
What a beautiful tribute to Sandy! Sandy and I got close in Switzerland together and she was my travel buddy we spent two weeks in Greece. I was the one that needed a plan in a schedule, and Sandy was the one that just flew by the seat of her pants. Together we merged into the middle. She taught me how to be spontaneous and to live life in the moment. She also was a ski partner to me for many weekends. Once we went skiing in Austria, and there was really no snow. So he pulled her neck gaiters down and made them into tube tops, and tanned ourselves in the dirt on the mountain. Last year in September, many of us dental hygienist, got together for a reunion in Zürich. It was a emotional time and a very happy time. The minute I saw Sandy at our meeting place in the park, I busted out into tears. They were very happy tears to see my dear friend again after a solid, 33 years. It was my honor to get to meet Bill. To me, Sandy will be a bright with sunshine, and I always called her Sandy beaches! Be brave and strong, my friend, but also know that you have friends all over the world who love you and look up to you. You are a bright light and dark times. Love Michele
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Thank you so much for sharing, I love the skiing becoming tanning story! I saw some photos from the dental hygienists’ reunion and recalled thinking what an amazing bond have to have been made to want to see each other again so many years later. She is absolutely Sandy Beaches! Our visit to Australia needed some beach shade so she pulled out her 3 Oral B big umbrellas! Haha. I’ll be sure to make sure she sees your comment if she hasn’t. Thank you again, Michele.
SuAnne
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