Ester Marsh: Change could be exhausting, however doesn’t should be

Ester Marsh: Change could be exhausting, however doesn’t should be

Published 2:00 am Saturday, September 26, 2026

As lots of you may have heard, I’m retiring from the YMCA towards the top of this yr. The greatest resolution I made is to stroll by way of the doorways of the “old” Y on Fulton Street, 29 years in the past.

You may need seen a void of my columns the previous few weeks as issues are getting busier and busier. Not solely are my husband and I retiring, we’ve purchased 38 beautiful acres in Halifax County, Virginia. I might be about in the course of two of my three kids. We weren’t planning to maneuver this far however acreage on this space, even N.C., has gotten tremendous costly. However, it has made promoting our 24 acres right here simpler. Yes, I’ve 29 years on this lovely place known as Salisbury. Will I miss it? Of course! But its solely two hours and 20 minutes away from right here.

Not everybody is aware of that I’m a first-generation immigrant. I got here to expertise the tradition and way of life for one yr in November of 1988. After graduating school, I labored for 2 years within the health and martial arts trade within the Netherlands and wished to see the world earlier than I might cool down. I first went to Cannes, France, for 9 months, then the U.S. for a yr. I fell in love (a number of occasions) however my first husband didn’t wish to return with me, so I stayed. I didn’t actually wish to keep as I used to be fully blissful in my lovely beginning nation. That transfer was exhausting! I needed to depart my mother and father, sisters, brother, household, pals and work. The solely method to return house is by airplane or boat.

I tailored, made one of the best of what I needed to work with, and I’m nonetheless right here, and made a wonderful life within the U.S. for nearly 38 years now. So, after 29 years, I’m retiring from the YMCA and leaving Salisbury. I’ve been humbled with the type remarks that the YMCA and Salisbury won’t ever be the identical. No, it received’t, however guess what? It would possibly even be higher.

Change could be exhausting, even damage, however change will occur in each side of your life. If you might be too set in your methods and unwilling, or unable to adapt, you make life more durable than it already is. I really like this quote by John F. Kennedy: “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Give change an opportunity — simply since you at all times have executed issues a sure method doesn’t imply that it’s the easiest way. I’ve stepped again from lessons to assist ease the transition. I used to be educating 14 per week, all the way down to 2 and none in October. Needless to say, there have been plenty of adjustments for our members, however this manner we will “wean” collectively. Be form, understanding, respectful and open minded. Your well being is your first precedence and your accountability. Keep respecting, preserve shifting, preserve smiling, preserve adapting and all of us might be OK.

Ester H. Marsh is director of wholesome dwelling on the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA (for just a few extra months).