Letters to the editor

YMCA's closing leaves a void for avid user

I was shocked and grieved to receive an email this past week announcing the immediate closure of the Northwest Arkansas YMCA in Rogers, and I would like to share my gratitude to the Y, from board members and employees to other patrons.

I had never been a member of a gym before. As a healthy, busy, active 20-something, I didn't need to. But when my first daughter was born, unexpected life-threatening complications suddenly arose with the appearance of preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. Although the conditions left, the damage they did to my body was intangible but unshakable. I had gone overnight from being constantly busy, constantly healthy, constantly involved, to being constantly weak, constantly sickly, constantly unable ... untested ground for someone who never stopped going.

For a couple of years, I tried to avoid the issue, hoping that my old self would just reappear, but, of course, she didn't. Instead, now my whole family was being affected by my new reality. When I finally worked up the courage to try to fight for my life again, it was because a friend insisted that I go with her to the Y. They gave us a scholarship, important since my illness had affected our finances. The instructors worked with me carefully, gently helping me through my fear and inability. The included childcare meant that my daughter had a safe place she loved to play so that I could focus on becoming myself again. There was a constant atmosphere of encouragement and acceptance so that I could focus on where I really was instead of on the fact that I was no longer who I used to be. And as I exercised, I realized that my family was not the only one being shaped by the generosity and the spirit of the Y. Maybe the treadmills weren't all in great shape, but it was because they were

investing in people, and whether they were fit and fashionable in well-matched yoga clothes and specialty shoes or fumbling around complaining in their favorite old t-shirt, each was allowed to be a whole person who was becoming holistically healthier each day. And aren't we all always a little bit of both?

There are other gyms. But when the Northwest Arkansas YMCA closed without fanfare this past week, our community lost something priceless, and I lost some of my greatest advocates for my health and future. I ask those who forced this decision to reconsider. My thanks goes out to everyone who was a part of the Y. And if the opportunity ever arises for another YMCA in our area, it may know that it will be met with plenty of supporters and advocates from our community. You can't change lives and a community and expect less.

Alyse Fulton

Bentonville

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Trump's pick for secretary of state all games

That Round Clown of Sound, Trump, is being coy. His choosing of a secretary of state is one of his juvenile games. After careful study, I have figured out who America's president-elect needs for this all important position.

Like millions of Americans I followed the primaries and the election. And concomitantly, was very, very tired of it all! And it still drags on giving me ample time to carefully consider who should be his choice. He should pick someone close to him. Someone passionately loyal and devoted. A person who would be greatly, greatly qualified. A person who would think only what was best for him.

We would never have to worry about trade deals with any country. Unfriendly nations such as Russia and China would sign anything to get Kellyanne Conway to shut the hell up. Bigly.

Budd Saunders

Durham

Editorial on 12/08/2016

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