Y Not?

Our Skipper meeds more exercise, more planned fitness for her mental health, power and spirit.

Last February, I got her a teen membership at the Montclair YMCA* on Park Street. It’s a venerable old building. (Interesting juxtaposition, modern exercise steppers and treadmills against old wood paneling and fireplace with mantel.)  But the road got rougher, and though I signed her up for a swim class, she only attended one and we never got back. To some staffers or kids in the pool, maybe, if anyone noticed in our pandemic year, she was that girl you wonder about--what happened to Skipper? Where did she go? She vanished from attending weekly lessons. She had gone to stay with her young grandma, Mimi, and Mimi’s husband, Poppy, for what would turn out to be two months.

And then we reappeared at the Y today.

We toured the cardio room, the well-worn indoor track, pool etc. Whenever I’ see that small track, I think of all the people, boys and girls, men and women, who ran laps there, where they are now and how it helped strengthen them. 

She liked it all. I hope it empowers her.

Teen membership is a bargain. Under $18 per month and I /we plan to start getting her there often. She does seem to like the idea and she is a very good athlete.

Good night.

*Per Y website: The YMCA of Montclair has been making a positive impact in our community since 1891.