Point of View: All I Wanted

I’ve read that the greatest Christmas gift is the knowledge that one is blessed, and I know that that is not a frequent occurrence.

It happened to me the other day, though, a few weeks before Christmas, when I finally persuaded my wife to come see me play tennis — singles, not doubles, which I’ve played pretty much exclusively for the past eight years, having come to the conclusion at the age of 66 that singles had passed me by. And, besides, I, being a crazy lefty with a spin serve and quick hands at the net, have always been a better doubles player.

And that’s still true, though this fall, having nothing left to lose, I decided to get back into the game, enrolling in East Hampton Indoor’s least demanding singles league. And, at the same time, to work out once a week with Rob Balnis at East End Physical Therapy so that I could strengthen my left shoulder, and to religiously attend the once-a-week stroke-of-the-week clinics at E.H.I.T. that Lisa Jones gives.

And, surprise, with practice I’ve begun to improve! Who would have thought it pushing 75.

Interestingly, I won matches from the start (fueled by desperation more than anything), but it wasn’t until I lost two straight for the first time in the eighth week, to a younger and better player, that I had fun, my wins notwithstanding. He had beat me, but it had been a good match, which, when my better angel has my ear, is what I say we all want.

Actually, what I came to want was my wife’s blessing. She has tended to demur when at times I’ve asked her to come see me play, not being all that eager, I suppose, to watch an old coot alternately preen, pout, and shout.

But, as I say, the other night she did come, and, aside from a few glances her way, I concentrated on the task at hand and kept quiet. Again, it was a good match, one that could have gone either way, and I did win, but it was the knowledge that I was beginning to develop a somewhat effective style of play — one that I hope will finally lead to the putting away of childish things — and that she was there to see I was (thanks to Lisa and Robbie) improving that was buoying. We smiled at each other as I came off the court, and I knew I had her blessing, which was all that I wanted for Christmas.