Rory Gibson: Finding joy in the ordinary
Since lockdown forced those of us with a wandering bent to seek pleasures closer to home this is what I’ve discovered, writes Rory Gibson.
U on Sunday
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Since lockdown forced those of us with a wandering bent to seek pleasures closer to home, I’ve joined an ocean swimming group.
I’ve discovered a couple of things. The first is startling - the knee, not my scrotum, is the body part most sensitive to cold water. Who would have thought?
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Secondly, no matter how miserable the conditions are, you never regret making the effort. The combination of exertion, immersion in salt water, doing something in company and the exquisite pleasure of a hot shower afterwards sets you up for a great day.
There are other rewards too. We are joined regularly by dolphins - which I’m not ashamed to admit scare the shit out of me - and get to observe at close quarters the antics of other creatures, such as surfers.
There’s always something to see - but I’ve now seen the best thing yet.
Coming out of the water I found myself walking up the beach behind a young man who had just finished a session on his body board.
I estimate he was about 18, and had Down’s syndrome. I have rarely seen someone so full of joy.
He was punching the air in jubilation, saluting an imaginary crowd, and shouting “Yeah!” in exaltation. I’m only guessing, but I think he was imagining he was Kelly Slater walking through his adoring fans after pulling off some majestic barrel rides at Pipeline. The surf that day wasn’t great, but in that young man’s mind it was brilliant.
There wasn’t a hint of self-consciousness. He was just bursting with happiness, and had to let it out. It was more infectious than COVID-19, and I started chuckling too.
Every time I write a column with the general theme that to live in Australia is to have won the lottery of life, I get a (small) bunch of emails from people who seem to loathe the place and tell me I’m deluded.
But how lucky are we to live in a country where a person dealing with a big challenge can feel like such a winner.