Love racquetball… and even though I’ve had two knee replacements, I’m very fortunate and can still play once a week. But one of the men we play with, George has reached that time of life where his game has lessened. It has gotten to the point where, when he is on the court, everyone has to hold their game back substantially. It has been difficult. The other people have played with George for years, many more than I, but no one could bring themselves to speak with him.

Some of the players were actively trying not to get on the court with him. So on Monday, when this situation persisted, I gave up the game and asked to speak with him.

It’s always difficult to try to share hard information with someone. But George and I have a good relationship, so we were able to talk openly.

He was relieved. He said that he had noticed that something was wrong but that nobody would tell him what it was. We spoke for a while, planning what could be done. I told him I’d play singles with him to see if he could regain his foot speed and so on, and he was very happy for the invitation.

So we went back to the others, explained the outcome (George decided that he would play with a group of older people, and then with us, if the occasion arose). Just when it was going to be my time to play, George looked at me and said he’d like to talk a little more some time. So we did immediately, letting the others play. It became a moment of understanding and mutual gratitude, for he had truly been a gentleman throughout the discussion.

I saw George a few days later, playing with the other group. He was happy.

In fact, both groups were happy because each could fully play. And I was grateful to be involved in a spirituality which leads us to build bridges by communicating, especially in difficult situations..

Joan Dugan, Hyde Park, New York