And NEVER Give Up!!

I am about six hours from finishing my 75 km across Lake Erie. It is not exactly the way it was supposed to happen, but it is just as important, if not more, because of the message this swim sends. No matter what you are going through, good or bad, never give up. Like the battle against cancer and having to take a break in your life and refocus, this is the same with this radical crossing of Lake Erie. Sometimes you have to stop and then go on after the storm has calmed. When I do a book signing I like to write in the book, “Find something you love, and never give up.” Today I am going to attempt to prove my words and show that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

I had a great sleep this afternoon and am ready to go. As I look outside, my friends at The Weather Network seem to be right about the weather straightening out this evening. The flag on the pole on our farm between Jericho and Walsh is laying right down at times. Thank you to all the folks at The Weather Network for being wonderful partners and providing personal weather reports for both Lake Erie swims.

Thank you to all my crew and those volunteering time once again. I cannot believe I have so many people who would give up their summer to help me help Camp Trillium. You are all amazing, and watching how well you work with my family to get things done is inspiring. I know you are friends for a lifetime and part of our family. It has been an incredible summer of working out together, travelling together, meeting together, and laughing together. Think of the lives you have changed at Camp Trillium.

I think I head out at about 9:30pm, and I know there is a push to have people come to the pier in Port Dover and see me off. That is embarrassing and makes me feel very good at the same time. If you are there, I hope I get to wave at you or yell hi. You have all been wonderful to me. I am just that little girl from the country who wants to help other kids, and I want you to realize that. My community and country have been so great to me, and I hope you all know how much I appreciate it. Whether it has been giving time, money, prayers, cheering, or sending well wishes, you have made this possible and made the world a better place for someone battling cancer.

I know I have been bad at blogging. I seriously have not had the time. I have done a lot of things and spent the summer working at the pool in Delhi, so even with the training and swims my life has been incredible. Sitting at a computer did not seem like a way I wanted to balance my summer.

Anyway, I need to go and finish preparations for tonight. I will be leaving for Port Dover soon and hope to see you there. Continue to monitor my progress on the old Broadcast page, and please continue to give to Camp Trillium so kids and families in a battle for life can have a small time to have fun and a smile on their face. I believe all kids deserve to be kids, no matter what. Do you?

Donate through this website or at the Tiki Hut on the Port Dover beach, where my great friend Duane Rutter will continue his guitarathon tonight beginning when I get in the water. Thank you all so much.