Never Forget - Michele Normand
The other day I went on Facebook. As you may know Facebook will often show pictures of your memories from years past. The memory that showed up was a picture from the last night of the closing of our previous studio. In the picture we were all sweaty from our last ever workout together. I remember the tears, the hugs goodbye, and not wanting to leave so the doors couldn't be closed. We couldn't stop what was going to happen though many of us would have done anything to keep what we had come to know and love for years alive. I remember standing outside when the the lights were turned out and the doors were locked never to open again. I felt so lost. I had spent 12 years with this family, my son grew up in that studio, there were so many happy times, great friends, amazing instructors and just like that...GONE. For me the first year after the closer life was so empty, we lost our home. Master McWilliams was so amazing, he committed to put together a group at crossfit after their business hours and some of us trained there for a time. It showed how badly we wanted to stay together and how committed we were to our training. The day I was told that KJN Jeremy was going to open a studio in Gresham. I nearly fell off the chair I was sitting on and the tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't believe it. Was this really happening??? Is it true that we will have a home again and the opportunity to train under such amazing teacher? Could we get some of us back to together? YES!!! It happened!
When I look at our black belt team, each and every one of us experienced the closing of our first home. Never forget that feeling when the lights went out and the doors locked never to open again. Always remember how incredibly lucky we all are to be where we are. To have home, to be back together and to be training under a teacher who wants to share his passion, who values each and every one of us, creates amazing experiences, teaches life skills, reaches out to the community and changes lives in a positive way.
We have been given a second chance. Our door has reopened and the lights are on.
When I look at our black belt team, each and every one of us experienced the closing of our first home. Never forget that feeling when the lights went out and the doors locked never to open again. Always remember how incredibly lucky we all are to be where we are. To have home, to be back together and to be training under a teacher who wants to share his passion, who values each and every one of us, creates amazing experiences, teaches life skills, reaches out to the community and changes lives in a positive way.
We have been given a second chance. Our door has reopened and the lights are on.
Amen, sister. That sudden closing was like a loss of family. I *grieved* for well over a year and lost hope of finding a similar "home" for the sport I'd come to love. KJN Jeremy truly rescued me and brought back to life that whole part of my being. The fact that so many members of the MAFC family came along has been such an added blessing. (And there are still more of them out there we need to bring in!)
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