Dear Y Friends,
The famous Charlie Brown once said, “Goodbye always makes my throat hurt.”
Today is likely a day that I’ll never forget. It’s heavy, full of emotion and my throat hurts as I try to find a way to say farewell. While the words are simple it’s so important to me that I express my deep gratitude, love, and admiration of the Y.
My journey began in 2006 when I served as the membership director at the Downtown Y on 4th and Marion in downtown Seattle. I loved everything about that Y and I was so proud to be a part of it. It was in the heart of the city, a place where people needed the Y most, our facility was full of history and most importantly our staff team was deeply passionate about the community. Every metric, tangible and intangible showed it.
After serving for a year, my heart felt called home to Pierce County. I joined our PKC team at the end of 2007. I was overjoyed the day that I received the call to join our Y, though I could have never imagined the adventure to come. What an incredible journey serving at five of our locations with seven transitions and ten roles in the last 14 years. I truly could not love our Y more.
What makes our Y so incredibly special to me is YOU. The people of our Y - staff, volunteers, members, community are who make our Y so impactful. What makes this deeply personal for me is that I’ve been championed, challenged, loved, and supported through so many seasons. At the Y, I’ve become and grown into many roles – wife, mentor, mom, leader, friend, and advocate. I have also gained and grown in confidence, humility, authenticity, and a deep love for what matters most: people. All of that came to life for me through the example, grace, and intention of others. So to each and every one of you, thank you for being a part of my journey.
As I transition into this next season, my heart is full of hope. I’m so committed to loving, leading, and serving in a way that honors the spirit of each of you and our Y – wholehearted.
With appreciation and love,
Tara Bywater
tarabywater@icloud.com
253-222-6777