With hugs and laughs exchanged like life-long friends in the YMCA lobby, membership representative and aquatic instructor Aurelia Hadley and 92 year old YMCA member Ruth Mischke create a scene indicative of what the Y community is all about.
“You are wonderful people [at the Y],” Mischke said to Hadley as they embraced tightly before Mischke left the Y for the day.
Ruth Mischke
That community is one of the things Mischke most appreciates about the Y. At 92 years old, this Sedro-Woolley woman practices her lifelong love of swimming by swimming laps in the pool at the Skagit Valley Family YMCA twice a week. Until her recent move to Sedro-Woolley she lived in Mount Vernon and swam in the pool six times per week.
“[Swimming has] always very, definitely been a part of my life,” Mischke said with a soft southern twang. Mischke said she swims because she knows it’s good for her heart and lungs and she always enjoyed it. Not only does she swim for pure enjoyment, she also
competes. Four years ago the swam in the Senior Games in the 86-90 year old bracket where she earned three medals.
Mischke is an inspiration to all who know her. “It’s fantastic at 92 that she’s in the pool.” said aquatic instructor Leanne Hickman. “If she can do it, I can do it!”
And the Y is an inspiration to Mischke. “[You get] acquainted with the whole world, everyone comes [to the Y],” she said. “There are so many programs. They Y provides so many opportunities [to be active].”
The active older adult trips to Leavenworth and Diablo Dam are highlights of Mishke’s Y experience. She thoroughly enjoys the people she meets at the Y through swimming and
the trips. And so it is at the Y: everyone is welcome, everyone contributes, and everyone walks away with a healthier mind, body, and spirit.
