第 44 题

1One freezing morning last February, I walked through Ontario Place. Trees were frosted sculptures. Large chunks of ice floated in the lake. Then I saw a group of people in bathing suits bouncing up and down on the shore before running into the lake.

2I've always found cold water thrilling. The shock of it is like pressing a switch. It seems to reset my body and soul.

3And last winter, I definitely needed a reset. I woke up most mornings with a dull, grey feeling as I forced myself out of bed to start the day. I needed something to cheer myself up, but I didn't know what.

4The ice warriors (勇士) emerged from the lake, their skin steaming. Trembling, they were yet laughing and hugging each other. I called out: "You guys are awesome!" One woman waved back, "Come and join us!"

5The night before my first dip (游泳), I was excited and nervous. Cold water was one thing, but this icy lake was a whole other level. Should I back out? Eventually, I got up in the dark and drove to the lake.

6After some wild warmup, I charged into the lake along with others. We yelled into the sky. Teeth chattering, heart rates slowing, fingers and toes going numb (麻木), we stayed there for somewhere between 30 seconds and a minute. Then we ran out, laughing and shaking, and put on our clothes.

7Now I go dipping almost every day, and I've come to long for that moment when the cold becomes a second skin and my internal voice goes silent. Apart from the thrill of those first heart-stopping dives, the community has become a huge part of it.

8We laughed together, often, but from the stories we've shared about ourselves, I know I'm not the only one who faces life's challenges. Holding hands in the freezing lake, we looked out for each other.

9It won't fix everything in our lives—but for some reason, it helps. At the end of each session I return home feeling stronger, lighter, more able to carry on. As another winter sets in, I'm more than ready.