It’s the time of year when I participate in an open water swim to raise $$’s for cancer research through an organization called Swim Across America. When I signed up the first time, I did it for the experience of trying something new and a way to connect with our larger community.
However, over the past ten years, it has turned into something very personal for me; the opportunity to swim through my grief.
Let me explain. The first couple of years I started writing a few names on my back of people I knew who had courageously fought cancer. As the years went by, I kept adding names to my back and sadly every year there was another person from our church, school or neighborhood who we had lost to cancer. I had prayed with many of them as they faced their cancer journey one treatment, one challenge and one victory at a time. It was a lot to carry and I needed to give it to God.
As people began to hear about my swim, they wanted to REMEMBER those they had lost and others wanted to HONOR those who had made it through chemo/radiation and lived! The lists on my back kept getting longer. As I swim, I have the opportunity to pray for the families represented on my back and thank God for the lives of those we have lost, as well as those who are living cancer free. With each stroke, I pray for continued healing, strength and courage for their specific journey. The mile swim goes by quickly as my mind and heart are focused in prayer lifting up each name on my back before God’s throne of grace.
At the end of the swim, over 500 swimmers listen to the latest research and updates of the work being done at Fred Hutch/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to save lives. We celebrate the privilege of taking a morning out of our lives to raise $$’s for such an important cause. My soul is a little lighter knowing that I am able to swim through my own grief by giving others an opportunity to experience theirs as well.
Jesus promised, “Blessed are those who grieve, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Jesus Joy Journey 
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