Her story is compelling from any perspective. Last week she completed the perilous 10 mile swim from Cuba to Florida, the first person ever to do so. It was her fifth attempt. Her first was when she was in her 20’s; she is now in her 60’s. Wow.
How may of us would continue after failing at the same very difficult, world-class task four previous times? And how many of us would make our fifth attempt in our 60’s, some 40 years after our first?
Mind you we’re not talking about an intellectual goal here; her task was almost purely physical. Sure, it took big doses of will, determination, and guts, no question, and she deserves lot of respect on that score alone. However, more importantly, she was able to keep swimming for mile after mile, over several days, long past the point, I’m sure, when her body was screaming at her, “What in God’s name are you doing?”
When she finished, and had finally completed her goal, she said two things that really struck me. We should all ponder these, especially us baby boomers.
1. “Never, ever give up”. She must have wanted to give up numerous times after her first four attempts over 40 years. She must have wanted to give up lots of times during her most recent attempt. But she didn’t. And neither should the rest of us. Even we’re dead tired, and feeling defeated.
2. “You’re never too old to chase your dream”. Age is a funny thing. People assume a lot of things just because you’re of a certain age. People like Diana help break some of those age stereotypes. May be it’s true that you’re only as old as you feel.
Well done, Diana! You’re an example of hope and triumph for all of us.