Hi Shereen, thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my swimming story and send your congrats on being published in Human Parts...I appreciate it.

Most importantly, I'm so happy to hear that you feel encouraged to take swim lessons and I hope you find some adult lessons in your area. I wish you the best of luck with my heart, and if you decide to write about your experience, please tag me so that it will remind me to read it!

As you know, I know just how you feel about being "awkward and slow" in the water as the other swimmers are gliding by.

I shared this story with my swimming coach on our "Beginner Swimmers what's app group" and the swim community has been super supportive and positive. Many swimmers loved this story as it resonated with them in different ways (whether they were just learning to open water swim, or were experienced swimmers). Many swimmers could relate to the "early days" of learning to swim...and one of the readers got teary-eyed as my experience was very similar to her own.

I need to remind myself that the "expert swimmers" all had to all start at the beginning, and that they struggled with the learning process too...until it clicked.

As well, many swimmers who took the lessons were first-time open water swimmers, who have moved on to complete their first triathlons, and some have moved on to competing in IronMans. Sooo inspiring to hear these stories too! Cheers, Mary