Without a badge, one is practically invisible here, without identity and without authority. Access to the buildings is exclusively through a plastic card, in my case with a photo and name. Not even a contact address is listed on the badge in case it is lost. And my photo on it could just as well be a relic from a bygone era – it’s been so long since it was taken. A young, radiant “ME” grins at me every time I put my badge in its slot at night.

Last night I came home and wanted to stow away my badge as usual, but it wasn’t there. Immediately I realized I must have lost it somewhere. There was only one moment yesterday when I took off my pants with the badge: when I was swimming in the lake. It was a long-cherished dream of mine that had finally come true. Originally, I had planned to enjoy summer swimming in the lake endlessly, regardless of snow, ice, and water temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius. But as often before, I failed. Until the autumn holidays in October, I went swimming almost every day, no matter how awful the weather was. By October, swimming was already lonely. It became a fixed part of my daily routine, like brushing my teeth. The only challenge lay in the moment of plunging into the cold water. After that, swimming was glorious, and warmth and contentment awaited me upon emerging. Then I went on vacation for three weeks and fell ill shortly after my return. Swimming was out of the question. November was rough, and I couldn’t muster the courage to start again. As often before, I failed!

Now it’s February, the water in Lake Zurich is freezing cold, and yet I have to get in. I even bought a bathrobe. The weather didn’t cooperate, it was foggy and rainy. But we had made plans, and I had no intention of backing out. So in the afternoon by the lake, I took off my pants, put on my blue swimsuit, and got into the water with my flotation device. The swim was short, the icy water barely bearable. There was no thought of a longer distance like in the autumn. But after getting out, I felt warm and good. It was warmer outside than in the water. I stayed by the shore for a while, letting the rain pour down on me. Then I went to the warmth, took off my wet swimsuit, and wrapped myself in my warm bathrobe. But after about ten minutes, a violent shiver came over me. It felt like I had swallowed too much ice at once. Outwardly I was warm, but my voice trembled so much that I could hardly speak. I had to take a warm shower to calm down as a shiver ran through my whole body. Although I had fulfilled my dream, a repeat seemed unnecessary.

While taking off my pants after my swimming adventure, I realized I must have lost my badge. I planned to apply for a replacement today and later in the day search for my coveted piece of plastic at Lake Zurich. But in the morning, I received an email from someone I didn’t know. He informed me that he had found my badge yesterday at the train station and had turned it in at a Ritual store on Bahnhofstrasse. I was surprised that someone had taken the trouble – and greatly appreciated it – to Google me to find out who I am and what I do. Why he brought the badge to a store, I couldn’t say, but I was simply grateful. I could pick up my badge at the store and invited the honest and caring finder to lunch to thank him. To be continued. It’s amazing what cold bathing in the lake can accomplish.