I was always thankful for the YMCA. Of course, growing up, you

Hear the words of Kyle Kuzma, who reflects upon his youth with humility and remembrance: “I was always thankful for the YMCA. Of course, growing up, you don’t really think about it, because when you’re a kid, you’re in your own world. But back then, it was just so much. I’m going to go the Y, hanging out, playing games all day, playing basketball.” At first glance, these words seem like a simple memory, but in truth they carry a teaching as old as time—that the spaces of community, the guardians of childhood, and the places of refuge are treasures that shape destinies, even when unnoticed.

The first jewel in his words is thankfulness. Kuzma looks back not with indifference, but with gratitude for what the YMCA gave him. Gratitude is the wisdom of hindsight—the ability to see with mature eyes what the eyes of childhood overlooked. For children often dwell in their own small worlds, unaware of the invisible foundations upon which their joy rests. Yet, as the years pass, the soul awakens to the richness of what once seemed ordinary. To remember and to give thanks is the mark of a soul that has grown in depth and wisdom.

The second flame in his words is the power of community. The YMCA was more than a building; it was a haven, a gathering place, a sanctuary for play and growth. Within its walls, children found friendship, competition, laughter, and safety. In ancient times, such communal spaces were the agoras of Greece, the forums of Rome, the marketplaces where people gathered not merely to trade but to grow in fellowship. Kuzma’s YMCA was his training ground—not only for basketball, but for life.

The third truth is the role of play and discipline. He recalls days of hanging out, of playing games, of basketball that filled his hours. To some, this may appear trivial, but in reality, it was preparation. For through games, the young learn teamwork, perseverance, resilience, and joy in effort. Through basketball, Kuzma learned not only the skills of sport but the spirit of persistence that would later lift him to the highest courts of professional play. Play is the hidden school where champions are formed.

Consider the story of Abraham Lincoln, who grew up in poverty, with little formal schooling. As a child, he read by firelight and worked the fields by day. He did not know then how those simple, humble days would prepare him for greatness. Like Kuzma, he only later recognized how the modest structures of his youth—the log cabin, the books, the fields—were shaping his destiny. What seemed small in the moment was, in truth, the foundation of greatness.

The lesson for us is this: be thankful for the ordinary places and moments that shape you. Do not despise the small beginnings, the humble spaces where you learned, played, or dreamed. Often, the treasures of youth reveal their true worth only in hindsight. But if you cultivate gratitude for them now, your heart will be richer, your perspective clearer, and your journey steadier.

Practically, take time to remember the “YMCA” of your own life—the places, people, and experiences that gave you joy, safety, and direction when you were young. Write them down, honor them, and if possible, return thanks to those who provided them. If you are able, create such spaces for others, whether through mentorship, community service, or simply offering kindness. In this way, you continue the cycle of blessing.

Thus, the words of Kyle Kuzma ring with timeless wisdom: give thanks for the simple places that shaped you, for within them lies the seed of greatness. For though children may not see the weight of their blessings, the wise remember, and in remembering, they honor the past and inspire the future.