It is here in The Decade Chronicles section of The Wicked Pissah where I share a glimpse into the hearts and minds of folks of every decade and walk of life who have crossed my path at some point along my way and have made a distinct impact. There is always something we can learn from those who came before or after us.
For the full story of the Decade Chronicles inspiration, you can read my hobbit story here.
Now, let’s get chronicling.
Emma Simpson
Ahhhh, the joys and beauty of
. Unearthing hidden gems and sharing the bounty. In this singular instance—conceivably bolstered by a bit of Irish luck (we share this heritage)—I found and her Lemon Soul community. I do hope, and believe you will, appreciate her stories and her (very intriguing) connection with water as much as I have.At the onset of my unearthing, I happened upon Emma’s “Friday’s Dip - changing your life to follow your dream” story and listened to a very open and enlightening podcast interview … a recapitulation of her life’s fears, uncertainties, sadness and triumphs all rolled into a little over an hour’s time, which included the frightening moments surrounding the birth of her daughter, the sudden death of her brother, managing her own health issues, and her life today as a writer and author (post-career as an air traffic controller).
At the end of the interview—my favorite part—Emma recounts a sweet, yet powerful moment while on a swim when she finds and rescues a drowning bee that had been struggling on its back (a reminder of her connection with her father who had passed several years prior).
Currently, Emma is in the midst of writing several books, one of which I am particularly looking forward to… Breaking Waves.
Breaking Waves intertwines stories of women around the world with my [Emma] own experiences, all of us having experienced the water in a unique way…
It is in this space that women find something that they perhaps don’t even know they have lost. It may be their voice, their identity, their sense of adventure, their connection to something that has been just out of their reach. A renewed sense of purpose and vitality, and a community of others who understand.
My story hinges on the tragic death of my brother as a young man, and the diminishing of my voice as the colour seeped out of my world. Then taking the reader on a journey of hope and renewal as water became the medium within which I healed, and rediscovered adventure, deep connection and utter joy.
She is also considering an opportunity to work in Antarctica for six months, away from her home in the U.K. You can read her exciting and humorous story below.
You can read more by subscribing to Lemon Soul below or visiting her website.
From Emma…
My name: Emma Simpson
My age: 52
My current line of work: Writer
My passion(s): Swimming outdoors, drinking tea, reading, storytelling, lakes and mountains, being with friends, my home and everything that words means to me.
My favourite word: Scrumptious
What I admire most about myself: How I relate to others.
My earliest memory: It is the long, hot summer of 1976, and I am 4 years old. The tiny round paddling pool sits at the bottom of the stone steps leading down from my back door. I am with my neighbour and best friend Chrissie Tanner - his mum brings us Ribena in green plastic beakers, ice cubes thudding against the sides. I am warm, smiling, happy, innocent and it is all real.
My most impactful memory, positive or otherwise: The phone call from my dad. The one that changed my life forever. The one that rent my world in two, and where nothing was the same again. The call that told me he was outside, that he had come to tell me the devastating news. The one where I knew in an instant that someone had died, and that is was my brother.
Best advice for my 21 year old self: Believe in yourself. You are a good person, and you are enough. You will find your way but don’t focus on the destination, focus on the journey. The decisions you make will be right in that moment, so don’t do regrets. When difficult times comes, wait ten minutes and they will pass. And if they don’t, wait another ten. You, and only you, are the holder of your dreams. If you build it, they will come.
Best advice going forward: Fuck it. What’s the worst that can happen?
I will leave you with this beautiful excerpt from Emma’s “Dear Daughter” letter.
“I ache and delight in equal measures as you ever so slowly begin to slip through my fingers, but you will never fall out of my embrace, and my heart is yours for eternity. How wonderful it is that others will discover how it feels to be held by your love.
Continue to fly my child, you were born with angel wings.”
Thank you for being here.
xo Char
Oh wow Charlene, thank you so much!! 💕💕💕🙏🙏🙏