I decided to swim till my 50th. Sometime between my 35th and 40th lap, I imagined Baba standing under the umbrella, sipping his beer, smoking & watching me. He would have said, “Well done! Finally!"
Hhm. I think I might have a video of me reading it at the launch of the book. Otherwise, I will have to wait until I get home and take a picture of the poem in the book for you. I'm away until the end of the month for work. Thank you for being so enthusiastic. I'll see if I can find the link to the reading in the meantime.
I found the video. It's on FB (not sure if you're on there) but it's public so you should be able to watch it. I see the poem is written in the caption too.
Wow. I just loved this story Rituparna. I felt like I was in the water with you while your baba was around. Such a beautiful narrative of a childhood memory intertwined with your new found love. May you complete 100 laps 😇
Loved this Rituparna.. I have neither of the two vital skills but I feel inspired. I recently went to the pool for almost the first time and wrote about it for one of the writing circle prompts. Your gorgeous blue notebook blue water photo also adds to the inspiration... to try swimming and writing after swimming.
Your baba was a wise man and a warm father. Thank you for sharing this story.
🏊🏼♀️ your dad certainly would be smiling. 😊
Yes, I saw him standing by the poolside. Drinking his beer and smoking a cigarette. 😊
Wonderful story! I once wrote a poem about my father teaching me to swim. So a lot of this resonated.
I’d love to read the poem Karin. Where can I find it? Here’s to fathers who taught us to swim through tough waters.
Hhm. I think I might have a video of me reading it at the launch of the book. Otherwise, I will have to wait until I get home and take a picture of the poem in the book for you. I'm away until the end of the month for work. Thank you for being so enthusiastic. I'll see if I can find the link to the reading in the meantime.
Wow! I’d love to listen to you reading it. That’ll be treat ✨
Ha! You get a taste of the South African accent!
I found the video. It's on FB (not sure if you're on there) but it's public so you should be able to watch it. I see the poem is written in the caption too.
https://www.facebook.com/karin.schimke.5/videos/10156182427239623
Wow. I just loved this story Rituparna. I felt like I was in the water with you while your baba was around. Such a beautiful narrative of a childhood memory intertwined with your new found love. May you complete 100 laps 😇
Thank you for swimming with me Parul!
100 laps?!? Will I live another day to write another essay? ✨
Bahot sundar!!!
I am so inspired.
Thanks for this, Rituparna! ❤️
To swim? To write? Thank you for reading Suruchi. I’d love to know what this story makes you do. ✨
More like “Being Baba to my kids”. 🤭
And that’s perfect! 😊
Loved this Rituparna.. I have neither of the two vital skills but I feel inspired. I recently went to the pool for almost the first time and wrote about it for one of the writing circle prompts. Your gorgeous blue notebook blue water photo also adds to the inspiration... to try swimming and writing after swimming.
Your baba was a wise man and a warm father. Thank you for sharing this story.