I’m not one to get into fads. Like I am truly the only person in the U.S. (the world?) who has not read beyond the first Harry Potter book. I have not watched “Game of Thrones”. I have a rebellious side that tells me I just do not need to climb on board, and I don’t.
But his week’s JOY flips that rebellion on its head. It’s Pickleball. OMG. Can you stand to hear one more person who is in love with Pickleball? Well, dear reader, here it is.
I came to Pickleball reluctantly. First, because everyone else loved it, and so my ornery side was going to resist it. But second, and more importantly, it is a sport. It involves a ball. And hitting a ball. All of which I am hopelessly awful at. There is not one sport in which I excel – in fact not one sport that I am sort of OK at. So, why partake of yet another painful opportunity to humiliate myself?
I blame it on my husband. He is just as un-athletically inclined as I am. But something pushed him to try Pickleball. I watched in amazement as he trekked down to our local rec center with his newly purchased paddle and a bottle of water. He came back with stories – most of which indicated that he was having a really good time. On top of that, it seemed he could actually hit the ball!
A few months later, I thought I’d give it a try. That was 6 months ago, and I am somewhat embarrassed to say that I am one of those people who cannot stop talking about Pickleball in casual conversation. When people talk about “Pickleball Addiction”, I understand completely. I love the sport and if I allowed myself, I would play every day! I do not allow myself – I have other things to do, like doing the laundry, watering my plants, and writing my blog.
I have “googled” what makes Pickleball so addictive. The answers have not done much to explain it. Yes, it is fun, yes, it is social, and yes, you don’t have to run as far as you do in basketball, softball, and tennis, and yes, even non-athletes can do it.
But, to me, the JOY of Pickleball is that at my somewhat advanced age, I can actually play a sport! This is beyond all belief. I can hit the ball – a miracle.