Offering a message of hope, this book serves as a source of encouragement for those feeling defeated in life's challenges. It addresses the struggles of feeling overwhelmed and lost, likening the experience to free falling with a defective parachute. Through relatable reflections on failure and self-identity, it aims to uplift readers who are grappling with despair, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey.
After twenty-four-year-old Kim falls in love with and marries fifty-six-year- old Vern, she quickly becomes pregnant-only to have their love tested by the ghosts of Vern's past, his failing health, and the unexpected arrival of a troubled young boy.
Interweaving a tumultuous family tale of eccentric parents and five kids left to fend for themselves with an eye-opening view of the often-hidden dark side of competitive swimming, this compelling memoir provides a glimpse into the isolation as well as the backbreaking and sometimes soul-crushing work necessary to achieve elite status in the competitive swimming world.