Swimming all year long

 Would you swim in Lake Michigan in the middle of a freezing and icy winter?

These ladies decided to swim in Lake Michigan in all weather despite sub-zero temperatures and thick ice! They only missed a few days during the entire pandemic because they feel that swimming in all weather helps them recover from the tragedies of losing their husband to Covid and overcoming the depression of being locked down for so long.  Jennifer Hoffmann, 55 and Helen Wagner, 66, have been 'swimming through' the pandemic. According to the Chicago Tribune article on the ladies: 

"The women can feel the current around them, beneath them. They know they have to be careful. The ice is sharp, the currents are unpredictable.

But this is what gets them up every morning in this Chicago winter, in the midst of a pandemic. It’s what carries them through the days. Let other people call it crazy. They call it joyful, empowering, calming, the ecstasy of swimming through." (Column: Day after day at sunrise, 3 Chicago women are ‘swimming through’ the winter in icy Lake Michigan)

 Amazingly the two friends have been swimming even in the coldest weather we've had this month. They break the ice with a hammer and jump into the frigid water. It is a very admirable way to get through the pandemic, but I don't think I would try it myself. I wouldn't recommend anyone else try it either!

Question: Would you like to try winter swimming when you are older?

 Column: Day after day at sunrise, 3 Chicago women are ‘swimming through’ the winter in icy Lake Michigan