I have been learning to swim the last several months. Up until just recently I could successfully splash my way from point A to B, but it wasn't really swimming. I am happy to say that now I can swim. The biggest challenge for me was mental; I would get in the water and a very short time later I would feel desperate for air. I quickly get frantic and splash around. Things wouldn't go so well from there.
For me, learning to swimming was learning to stay composed and calm. It has been such a skill to learn and difficult too; I have come to really appreciate the feeling.
Pretty often, Nooryia get's frantic and all I have to do is pick her up and hold her close and that's enough to make her calm down. It's pretty amazing as I think about her entire body responding to me; her breathing, her heart rate, and all her muscles just relax. I am honored to be one of the few people who have this power. I feel a lot of responsibility and I know I will try to protect her forever.
Also, today is Nooriya's birthday! We all couldn't wait, especially Nooriya who woke at 1am, 2am, 3am and 330am to tell us. Happy Birthday! We made it!
