Friday, June 12, 2009

Do you want to play left handed?

There is not much to do after the sun sets at Tenwek at 7:00 PM everyday, but I feel fortunate that Tenwek has a racquetball court.  Visiting physicians come and go and frequently we get together to play racquetball.  
       A neurosurgeon invited me to play racquetball last night.  We played several games and I quickly found out that he was an amazing racquetball player.  All his shots were low, accurate, and with power.  Furthermore he was diving all over the court with no hesitation.  He beat me easily all four games.  I was not very happy.  But it got worse.
       Then he proceeded to ask me something I never been asked in my life, "Do you mind if I play you left handed?  I've been playing my daughter this way recently."  I have never been asked that question before.  I don't ever want to be asked that question again in my life.  Usually, I am the person asking my opponent that question!  What could I do, he had proven he could beat be right handed.  
"Sure,"  I replied.  He switched his racquet to his left hand.  We are all humbled at different times in our life and different ways.  This was my moment.   Oh yeah, did I mention this brain-surgeon's age, he is 62 years old.  Well, we played two games my right hand against his left hand.  I was determined not to be beaten by a Senior with his off hand.  I won..humbled but with a fraction of my pride together.
Only later did I find out he was an Open State Champion....

5 comments:

Derek Starr Redwine said...

Words cannot express how much I wish I would have been there courtside to witness this...

God does indeed work in mysterious ways!

Anonymous said...

And God Bless ya for sharing this, Malin. You are a good man.

Now, let's hear it for us Seniors. Smiles to ya,Kathy

Anonymous said...

Atta boy Malin. Way gone are the days when I could beat you with those little dinks I used to love! Isn't life fun! He will be telling this story when he goes home.
Mom

Anonymous said...

I beleive I have humbled you a few times on the racquetball court, not with my left hand, but with my patience. My advice to you Malin is improve you serve and get your backhand lower. Dad.

Anonymous said...

Malin- Jason and I just laughed out loud and now I'm crying. Knowing your competitive spirit that brought such a smile to my face. Next time we have a Crescent Lake, stand on one leg challenge.... I'm using my left leg! Love you and praying for you as you move and settle in to a new experience,

Kiersten