'If you can’t stand a lot of loving, don’t come in here.'
Need inspiration? Talk to Rosemary. She taught health and physical education for 37 years, and even had Olympic sprinter Wilma Rudolph in her class in Clarksville.
“A lovely young lady…she ran between the raindrops.”
Rosemary, 89, has had a lifetime of experience at the Y—first in Pittsburgh, where it was her source of entertainment as a youth, then in Middle Tennessee since the early 50s, when centers were still segregated.
“Now I’m looking at my students with their children, and some of them have grandchildren that go to the Y.”
Every morning, Rosemary visits the Northwest location to swim, sit in the lobby (by the fireplace in the winter) and enjoy the company of others.
“This is a beautiful place with beautiful people.”
Coming to the Y prevents her from falling into an unhealthy routine of staying home alone and remaining sedentary.
“It keeps you in shape, you know. Don’t take me home and sit me down.”
Her son will often call from Minnesota and ask if she went to the Y that morning.
“If I haven’t been to the Y in two weeks, he’s coming down here like: ‘What’s the matter, mom? Don’t you feel good? Why haven’t you been to the Y? What’s happening?’ He knows this adds a lot to my life.”
Regarding healthy living, Rosemary has practiced what she’s preached over the decades. And it shows.
“I’m in good health, and I plan to stay that way.”
The pep in her step also comes from spreading kindness around the center. Rosemary often invites members to join her swim class and looks for ways to encourage others.
“You can make people happy just by smiling.”
As far as Rosemary’s concerned, there’s a lot to smile about.
“I’ve had a wonderful life and met wonderful people.”