It is very hard to believe that swimming the Channel has come and is now five months behind us. My massive shoulder muscles of a distance swimmer have nearly receded. It is very odd not swimming in the water for many hours everyday, or hearing my brother screaming in my face during a tough workout. I have a full time job now, and sitting at a desk seems very odd compared to constantly moving for a majority of my day. Though the physical aspects of the Channel are fast-fading, I still think about swimming the Channel all of the time! I think of her calming turquoise-to-deep-blue-vastness surrounding me, the slosh of waves in my ears, the sharp taste of salt on my tongue, the sound of gulls floating above the waves, my mind wandering endlessly...........
A Map detailing every type of shipwreck that lies at the bottom of the Channel. I may have swum over some of them! What an eerie feeling........
Recently, I received a very neat booklet created by someone we met who resides in England. He compiled lots of information about the Channel, and included a large map that showed every single shipwreck and type of wreck that lies at the bottom of the Channel dating back hundreds of years. When I looked at this map, it finally struck me what a dangerous and temperamental body of water we had made it through. So many have lost their lives over that body of water, including big band legend Glenn Miller, when his plane went down mysteriously. Several allied soldiers boated across the English Channel to victory on the shores of Normandy. What a humbling feeling. That same feeling took me back to what I was thinking while making the crossing. It reminded me of what a gift it was to have the opportunity to be right where I was at: in the middle of the cold Channel fighting to get to the French coast in order to inspire our fight against cancer. I also thought of all of you out there who donated, prayed, and supported me throughout this entire challenge; fighting right alongside me.
It's now 2012. With the holidays come and gone, it is the time of year when we reflect on the past year and realize how thankful we are for all of the blessings we've been given; the people we are grateful to love and know, our health, and the experiences we've been a part of.
The holidays are a wonderful and joyful time of year, but for some, it can be very painful; especially when a seat at the dinner table is empty. As my family gathered for the holidays, like many others, some of our loved ones are no longer able to celebrate the holidays with us because of cancer. Though I am grateful for the time I was able to have with them, it is a harsh reminder that we must keep fighting to put a stop to this horrible disease.
2011 and The Crossing for a Cure Campaign may be at an end, but in reality, our cause will continue beyond the end of our campaign this January. People will still be fighting cancer. We will still need to support those fighting to find a cure....until a cure is found.
If you have not donated to Crossing for a Cure, it's not too late. Simply go to our website at: www.crossingforacure.com for details on how to make your tax-deductible donation.
We will keep www.crossingforacure.com and this blog up and running for a while, so feel free to check back. Should we receive any more donations, we will keep you up-to-date on the fund's progress, and any other news of our campaign.
Again, thank you to every person who made this journey possible. When I began training to swim the Channel, I did it in hopes of planting a seed to inspire many to give to cancer research at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. As of today, our research fund is now well over $15,000, thanks to your generous support.Your generosity and your stories of loved ones who have fought cancer have changed my life and I will never, ever forget their courage and the perspective you have given me. I treasure my health and each day of my life more and more because of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Swimcerely,
Cheyanne
If you have not donated to Crossing for a Cure, it's not too late. Simply go to our website at: www.crossingforacure.com for details on how to make your tax-deductible donation.
We will keep www.crossingforacure.com and this blog up and running for a while, so feel free to check back. Should we receive any more donations, we will keep you up-to-date on the fund's progress, and any other news of our campaign.
Again, thank you to every person who made this journey possible. When I began training to swim the Channel, I did it in hopes of planting a seed to inspire many to give to cancer research at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. As of today, our research fund is now well over $15,000, thanks to your generous support.Your generosity and your stories of loved ones who have fought cancer have changed my life and I will never, ever forget their courage and the perspective you have given me. I treasure my health and each day of my life more and more because of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Swimcerely,
Cheyanne
