Diana brings me flowers. Diana is both beautiful and happily married. Yet there
they set at my desk, the latest round of colorful, cared for magnoliophyta straight
from her seemingly boundless, magical garden. This has nothing to do with me,
you see. Diana brings flowers to the gym for what it gives all of our members; a
sense of warmth and connection. That warmth and connection permeate our
facilities here in beautiful Southern Oregon.

Yesterday I received a postcard from Killarney Lake, Ireland. It was from one of
our members. When is the last time, while traveling on another continent, you
thought to send a postcard to your GYM? On Monday I will read it aloud to our
early morning exercise group, a seemingly disparate bunch that have created
strong and lasting friendships based on one common thread – they come to the
gym at the same time. They have created community.

Our community is a startlingly powerful one. All matters of interaction occur here
– books are passed back and forth, recipes shared, letters, theater tickets and
photos are given and received. Bodies are strengthened, minds are strengthened,
and the bond of community is strengthened, boundless and magical.