There were six courts and we liked the one near the fence so the children could come to us at any time.
I think that is the back of Roy.
In a little while the world won’t see me any more; but you see me, and I in you. Those who have my commandments, and keep them, you that love me:
You that love me will be loved by my Father and I will love you, and will make myself known to you.
Then a person asked this question:
How will you make yourself known to me?
Answer:
If you love me
You will keep my words:
And my Father will love you.
We will come and live with you.
John 14:19-23 (This is Sandy’s understanding but if you read a little before and after these verses you get a good picture. A bit like a tennis match. That question rather a heavy service received and returned the same way as the game started.)
It was either in the morning or late afternoon on a Sunday. I remember one year we brushed the snow off the court scattered salt and played.
The four of us were friends, the courts were £3 an hour and just down the road. There was a zip wire, swings and slides for the children. We had four, our two boys and their two girls.
Our games went something like this 2-0, 2-2,4-2, then 4-4 and always a long tie break when suddenly they would be 2 ahead and Roy and I would have lost. The amazing thing was we were always surprised we had lost and they were ever so pleased they had won. I remember one of our friends saying how much better their week went after a run about on the court.
Mixed doubles is great because a woman receiving a man’s serve can either give up or get stronger. The feeling of achievement as one got stronger was great. Then the net skimming balls with spin could find their way back as dribble down the opponents side . Such a pleasure.
Tennis has speed, consideration and can be played so differently especially if you are partnering your other half. I think we swapped partners once and personally I felt very uncomfortable. The movements to and away from the net, the knowing when to poach and when to let your partner take the ball from behind you became second nature so that you could focus on so much else that this lovely game gives. By partnering someone else this had to be learned again.
Nine or ten years we played, then this is what happened our dear friends after their daughters were in their early teen years decided they wanted another family. Yes, that’s right they had two boys in quick succession. All planned .
With two teenage girls, a toddler and a baby we all did travel to France on holiday together. A holiday by the sea but our tennis days of mixed doubles were over. Happy we had these lovely friends and now these good memories.
When older people say:
” Enjoy them when they are young!”
They are talking about your knees and hips not your kids.
Unknown
Three quotes about tennis:
The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else.
Martina Navratilova
The great part about tennis is you can’t run out the clock… As long as I was (Roy and I were) still playing I (we) had a chance.
Andre Agassi
Losing is not my enemy , fear of losing is my enemy.
Rafael Nadal
It has been a lovely sunny day here and the garden has had our full attention.
Sandy 🙂
Thank you for making me smile today, Sandy!
My pleasure! Thank you for reading my memories.