Friday Night

When did I get old?!! Just last year, or so it seems, I was a "buff-stud athlete" in a college level program. Now I play one game of parents against kids in soccer, and I can't walk for a day. This is ridiculous!! I've known for several years that I was woefully out of shape. I kept telling myself that when I was done having babies I would buckle down and whip this body back into running gear. . . but my baby is three, and my body is still slothful!

Then add on the fact that I play my mother in tennis every Friday, and you'll know why I limit how many times I go up and down the stairs. My legs are cryin'. And I call her "mother" when I talk about tennis because she beats me nearly every time. She refuses to act her age, so I relegate her to "mother" when I talk about tennis. Otherwise, she's my mom and I love her, but in tennis, I like to say, real loud, "Nice shot, Mother." :) (speaking of not acting her age, remind me sometime to tell you about how she has stayed active throughout seasons of life when other women slow down, what kind of advice she has given me, and why I'm sorry I didn't start listening at 27 instead of 37!)

Actually, truth be told, tennis with my mom is one of the most fun things that has happened to me in the last two months. I've learned to guard Friday's with a passion, because I know I have someone to watch Abby, and I can go play with Mom. First, it's great to spend time with Mom. Second, I'm starting to notice that the exercise in influencing me positively. Third, tennis is a fun sport, and it's perfect for me because I get to run in spurts and stop a lot to catch my breath.

And if you want to take it one step more serious, my mom is a cancer survivor. The treatment for her cancer has left life-long changes for Mom, both seen and unseen, and its a huge gift every week I get to go out and get beat by her. See, Mom has played tennis with me since I was 5 - largely because she wanted to have a tennis partner. She is the most patient person on the planet, and chased ball after ball after ball in order to play with me. And then I grew up, and got busy, and quit playing tennis. Until I realized that I've had more than 30 years to play tennis with Mom, and I have no idea how many more we'll get to have together. That sobered me up real quick and taught me to appreciate each moment. It's funny how the threat of losing something makes you realize how much you truly want it. So, I humble my competitive self and play every Friday in a game I know I will most likely lose, not because I love the game - although it is fun - but because I love my mom.

Besides all that, she says she likes my blog, and since I rarely hear from the rest of you, I love her more. :)

Goodnight.