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"CUTTING WATER" = ONE swim stroke. In 1994, my life changed while cutting through the cool waters of the English Channel, a place that brings me peace. Swimming is such a wonderful, lifelong sport, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, no matter what level you may be. Dream, Prepare, Succeed. - Marcella MacDonald
CuttingWater
Thursday, June 6, 2024
It was not to be...
Dear friends and family,
I woke up today, Thursday, June 6, 2024 hungry and thankful.
While watching the D-Day remembrance ceremony on the BBC, I will reflect on the night's adventure.
It was a tough gig last night and I am fine.
Last night, the English channel gave me a workout that my body and mind could not withstand.
I wish I had a success story to tell you but I do not.
I knew this ATTEMPT was going to be one of my most difficult challenges, even when I thought up the Idea 💡 a year ago.
And I knew the factor of COLD was going to be the most uncomfortable ordeals to encounter and possibly burst my dream, and the Cold did just that.
Everything the English channel could Hit me with, IT DID. In that short 3 hours, I had to hand over the game to the channel gods and get out.
Those on the Gallivant, tried many of their tricks to keep me in. As I've said before, it is Team effort, the individuals on the escort boat keep me nourished, watch over me and guide my path through the water.
I know I was swimming well, but I also knew I was getting colder. My teeth began to chatter, my jaw clenching and my legs, well, just not responding to orders.
Thank you to my crew Janet and Jane Murphy and thank you to our pilots, Mike Oram and Dan Earthquake and our CS&PF observer Mike Ball.
You are wonderful friends and I trust my life with you all ... you all tried to get me to France.
As I said in an article that was just written about this attempt, "it's a curse to know what you will be going through."
I knew the Sea wasn't really going to settle down for a comfortable swim, we were tossed around last night, from the turn out of Dover Harbor as we motored out to our starting point, the beach of Samphire Hoe. I don't know what's worse, seeing the wave that's about to roll over you, in the daylight or being surprised by the crash in the darkness.
I knew, as the last rays of daylight disappeared over the cliff of Samphire Hoe around 10 pm, the lights were out for at least 6 hours.
I tried to play games in my head that over the Eastern horizon, the skies were brightening, but really, I knew that was the lights of Calais.
Daylight was still hours away, and it would take 8 more hours for me to possibly feel the warmth from the sun.
I tried to think and pray for All the WWII veterans who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, 80 years ago. Usually my tricks work to distract my discomfort, but not last night.
If we take out one of the factors, Darkness, Bumpy Sea, or Cold conditions, maybe the results would have been different ... maybe, maybe not.
Thank you to all the generous donors to the DAV, Disabled American Veterans, we made our goal.
I'll finish with my sincere gratitude to brave servicemen and women during WWII and to all the veterans around the world, who have in the past and the future will fight for a FREE world.
Peace to you all.
--
Marcy
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2015 ... Swimming for Homes for the Brave
After spending the past 20 years paddling from Dover to France, it is time to venture into new waters, while helping some special people.
Soon, I will be traveling with my A-team to Scotland to swim the length of the famous Loch Ness.
As always, I try to help a Foundation raise funds and awareness and I thank you for interest and support.
I am deeply troubled with the thought of homeless individuals, especially in our US Veteran population.
That is why I am teaming up with our Connecticut-based “Homes for the Brave”. Can you imagine not having a place to call home?
Here is more information about Homes for the Brave! -Facebook pages – https://www.facebook.com/pages/ABRIHomes-for-the-Brave/199613606735630?ref=hl
- Annual Appeal with more information about our financials and programs- http://www.homesforthebrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/HFTB-2014-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf
-Check donations can be mailed to the following address:
Homes for the Brave
655 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
- Donations can be made online as well: https://homesforthebrave.isecuresites.com/products/index.php?type=1110
Please write “Loch Ness Swim/Marcy” to track your donation.
I will always be dedicating my swimming to all those battling cancer and in the memory of 4 special people in my life. Cancer first hit my family when I was young. My grand-aunt Eleanor Kersavage, passed away with uterine cancer and my Auntie Bea Halchak battled with brain cancer.
On January 1, 2002, our LEHY family lost Nikki Giampolo to bone cancer, just turning 16 years old. Her spirit still lives on in our East Hartford swim team.
In July of 2009, my brother-in-law, Gregory Allen Urban, who passed away, after a valient battle with lung cancer. I can see him now, talking about cars and projects around the house, music and his family.
I know Aunties, Eleanor and Bea, Nikki, Greg and all the angels will help me CUT through all this water this summer.
The St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, based in Bridgeport, CT provides financial support for the needs that Health insurance companies don't cover, in addition to providing affordable cancer screening, wigs, medication and other things to make life easier for those suffering with cancer and their families.
Please make a donation, and thank you.
Online donations can be made at: http://give.stvincents.org
or you can send a check through the post to:
Swim Across the Sound
St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation
2800 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203)576-5451
Thank you so very much, peace and good health to all.
Soon, I will be traveling with my A-team to Scotland to swim the length of the famous Loch Ness.
As always, I try to help a Foundation raise funds and awareness and I thank you for interest and support.
I am deeply troubled with the thought of homeless individuals, especially in our US Veteran population.
That is why I am teaming up with our Connecticut-based “Homes for the Brave”. Can you imagine not having a place to call home?
Here is more information about Homes for the Brave! -Facebook pages – https://www.facebook.com/pages/ABRIHomes-for-the-Brave/199613606735630?ref=hl
- Annual Appeal with more information about our financials and programs- http://www.homesforthebrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/HFTB-2014-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf
-Check donations can be mailed to the following address:
Homes for the Brave
655 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
- Donations can be made online as well: https://homesforthebrave.isecuresites.com/products/index.php?type=1110
Please write “Loch Ness Swim/Marcy” to track your donation.
I will always be dedicating my swimming to all those battling cancer and in the memory of 4 special people in my life. Cancer first hit my family when I was young. My grand-aunt Eleanor Kersavage, passed away with uterine cancer and my Auntie Bea Halchak battled with brain cancer.
On January 1, 2002, our LEHY family lost Nikki Giampolo to bone cancer, just turning 16 years old. Her spirit still lives on in our East Hartford swim team.
In July of 2009, my brother-in-law, Gregory Allen Urban, who passed away, after a valient battle with lung cancer. I can see him now, talking about cars and projects around the house, music and his family.
I know Aunties, Eleanor and Bea, Nikki, Greg and all the angels will help me CUT through all this water this summer.
The St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, based in Bridgeport, CT provides financial support for the needs that Health insurance companies don't cover, in addition to providing affordable cancer screening, wigs, medication and other things to make life easier for those suffering with cancer and their families.
Please make a donation, and thank you.
Online donations can be made at: http://give.stvincents.org
or you can send a check through the post to:
Swim Across the Sound
St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation
2800 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203)576-5451
Thank you so very much, peace and good health to all.
Mercy, I'm still in awe!
ReplyDeletePaul
Your grit and determination are amazing. My favorite saying is "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". Thank you for your amazing attempt to honor our soldiers!! You are my hero!!
ReplyDeletel miss you marcy a lot
ReplyDelete