Your Kid is Probably Screwed
I grew up next to a tennis club, so we all played. My little sister was a pro for a while. I, however, took Tennis One so many times that I finally got kicked out.
But I can distinctly remember one pro. He was super tall and skinny and had the most humongous Adam’s apple ever--Cliff.
One day I had a lesson with him ( I had a lot.). A member said something, and Cliff sang a line from “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”
I was floored.
I don’t know whether I thought people could only do one thing, or singers were singers and tennis pros were tennis pros and members of a country club were just members of a country club.
I’ve thought about it a couple of times since then, but playing last Friday at my own little neighborhood tennis club (with a golf course attached), it really struck me what a moment that was.
You never know what these things are going to mean until much later.
It’s not like I went home and talked to anybody about it. Cliff and I were probably on our way to hit against the backboard. Again. (Who was less excited about that?) My parents were just trying to get rid of me for the day.
But that moment really stuck with me.
I think I’d probably even seen him play before, but it just didn’t register.
No that day though. I just remember being so blown away.
Now I can see it in the faces of those stricken kids when I’m playing at the club, or any club. A lot of kids won’t care, but then there’ll be these ones who are enraptured. Not because you’re a great performer, but because the music grabs them.
You almost want to apologize to the parents; tell them they're in for it. I know the look. It’s got your kid.
I heard a while back that Cliff passed away. I don't even know if hearing that made me think of THE moment.
Memories are weird.