In January of this year (2022) I was back in Kansas City and looking for a pool to rehab my knee after a minor injury & overuse from hiking the El Camino de Santiago in Spain the summer before and participating in the NYC marathon in Nov. when my friend Bob recommended The Jewish Community Center in Overland Park. I was quick to point out that I wasn’t Jewish. “They don’t care. It’s more like a multicultural center, anyone can join,” he said. “They are very welcoming.” Immediately, he connected me with Bobby from membership for a tour and I joined that day. Little did I know what an impact this facility and the wonderful people filling the pool, workout rooms and coffee table would have on me.
Water Aerobics & Pilates/Yoga/Body Balance
When it comes to working out, I’m not very disciplined unless I’m in a group class. I’ll do two or three laps in the pool or four or five reps with some weights, then I “rest” and the workout is over. Done. It’s important to know your own strengths & in this case, weaknesses. I’m a social person and knowing that other people are participating with me inspires me to keep going. The first class I joined at The J was AquaFit at 8:30am, six days a week. I was hooked. I would go every morning. The music was fantastic (mostly upbeat oldies songs) and it started my day off right and put me in a good mood. The teachers were fun, energetic and very good at giving instructions. My fellow participants were the best of the best. It’s mainly a group of women and a few men ranging in ages from about 50-85…but honestly most are in the sweet spot of 65-80. My first thought was “wow, I want to be like them when I grow up.” These people can work it. They are fit and healthy. They seem comfortable in their own skin, look fabulous in their swimsuits and they have such confidence as they mill around before and after class. It’s really something to witness…and better yet, be apart of. Never underestimate the workout you get in a water aerobics class. People think it’s just for “old” people but it’s not. I’ve been doing it since my early 20’s and it’s one of the few exercises that keeps your entire body engaged all the time. Keep swimming ladies and gents!
Everyday after class, several people will sit in the hot tub and chat before going to the locker room. During this time I’ve learned so many interesting life lessons and heard incredible stories…and a few naughty jokes. I feel so honored that they’ve welcomed me as part of their group even though I’m a little towards the other end of the age spectrum. But that did create a plus, as soon as I joined, I was informed by a few of them that they have single sons if I was interested. Ha! Each of them have treated my like a daughter/granddaughter. I’ve met with a couple of them and their friends for coffee to discuss the Camino and what it’s like to be a pilgrim. I’ve had phone calls with a few of their grandchildren who are graduating from college to discuss their future career paths. I’m so touched and honored to be apart of their lives.
After a few months, my knee was much stronger and I started to branch out into some of my other favorite types of exercises…Pilates, yoga and body balance (which incorporates Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates all in one – it’s amazing). This welcomed an entirely new group of teachers and members into my newly formed circle of friends at The J. Maybe it’s the type of workout that draws people that seem to be Zen-like but these folks are so kind and mellow.🧘🏼♀️ They help me find calm and become centered…I definitely need more of this in my life. With all these new classes to join I began going seven days a week. Not only for the workout but to see my new friends.
The Coffee Nook
My friend Bob calls it The Coffee Nook but it’s really just a few tables around the corner from the front desk. This is where the “older” folks hangout before/after their workouts. They drink coffee and tell stories they’ve shared at least 5,000 times with each other (and I can say from experience I’ve heard many of them repeated 10-15 times just in my short stint at the place – it’s an endearing quality). The first day I met the guys (it’s mainly men that sit there but sometimes women join too) was actually my first day at the gym. I had finished in the pool and sat at one of the empty tables to drink a cup coffee before I left when one of the guys looked at me and curiously, but kindly said, “get over here. Who are you?” I pulled my chair over and that was that. I’ve been friends with these guys ever since. Our morning coffees have expanded into lunches, lifts to the dentist, Yiddish lessons, emails/texts, Facebook and Instagram friendships, and even an evening out for dinner and listening to live music. These people are like an extended family.
Rock Steady Boxing
A few weeks after I joined The J, someone in my swim class mentioned that they needed volunteers in the Rock Steady Boxing program for people dealing with Parkinson’s. It sounded like a fun opportunity so I signed up. People, if you ever want to see a group of dedicated, hardworking, grateful and happy people, pop in to observe (or better yet, volunteer) one of the Rocky Steady classes. These folks will inspire you! Their life stories are incredible but the way that they are handling their shitty diagnosis (pardon my language but it really is) is incredible. Of course they have their down days like anyone, but they don’t take one day for granted…and they get to beat the crap out of the bag which seems to make them feel better in most situations. My favorite exercise that they do is called “Bar Fight” where they run around the room for one minute punching different bags. It’s hilarious and fun…and they seem to love it! The group is supportive of each other (especially when they are having one of those down days), they are focused and work hard with each exercise, and they have the best sense of humor about themselves, life and this shitty disease. It’s one of the most gratifying volunteer positions I’ve ever had. Also as a shameless plug, The J is hosting a Trivia Night on Nov. 14th and all money raised will go to supporting this really important program. So go test your knowledge or just write a check if you can’t attend. This group could use your support. 🥊
…………….
So, what’s the point of all of these stories? Well, I’m embarking on a new phase of my life. One that I’m not sure is going to work. It involves a lot of risk. It’s a little scary and unnerving. I’m leaving this beautiful community at The J that has welcomed me wholeheartedly with open arms and let me join their tribe and feel like I belong somewhere, to go to a foreign country for an extended amount of time, where I don’t speak the language and I don’t know many people, to see if a relationship with a kind man I met while hiking a little over a year ago, may or may not work out. Oye vey…or as the guys at the coffee table have taught me in Yiddish, “you’ll discover if it is beshert or not!” (Meant to be). Plus, I launched my own business three months ago with the hopes that stories like these will inspire people to keep reading about my life, travels, random thoughts and the people who impact me. I can barely see the first step of this next adventure and I’m not sure if I’m at the edge of a cliff or an upward staircase. In all honesty, I’m scared, but life is nothing without risk – or so they say.
Two days before I said my goodbyes, I noticed that there were two new people working in the cleaning/maintenance department. I had a question so I said hello and introduced myself. Turns out they are husband and wife who are from the Ukraine. When I asked how long they had been working here at the J, she responded in broken English, “we’ve only been in America for 10 days.” Because of the look on their faces, tears immediately welled up in my eyes as a million questions flooded my brain wondering all the how’s and why’s of the situation (which I obviously didn’t ask). Was this a choice? Did they leave in a rush because of the war? Did they have to leave family or belongings behind? Will they get to go back? What was their life like in the Ukraine? Do they know people here? Are they scared? Are they happy? All I could do was give them both a big hug and tell them I was happy they were here. They had tears as well and were very thankful for the kindness. And then I realized how truly special The J really is. It’s full of people from all walks of life, who have a unique story to tell. They welcome everyone and will even open its arms to provide jobs & resources for those in need of a community.
So this particular story isn’t so much about travel but about gratitude for the people at The J and how sometimes you don’t realize how important a community is in your life until you have to say those awful goodbyes.
Until my return, thanks to Bob (for recommending it), Bobby (for managing my membership around all my travels), the coaches and instructors, and my new workout/coffee buddies. You guys have not only become my friends but my community. Thank you.
Goodnight & much love. ❤️
