croquet, then and now

for me, croquet is a multigenerational experience

it brings back a flood of mixed memories and emotions

the adults in my dad's family played at our picnics when I was a child

my grandmother and papa John

my dad and his siblings 

and they were serious about the game

I'm pretty sure they turned it into an ongoing tournament

I remember waiting impatiently, 

longing for the picnic I would be deemed "big enough" to join in the competition

and being in tears every time my ball was sent flying

and hurt as an aunt or uncle laughed while I chased it down

I'm not sure why I kept playing with them every chance I got

Bill and I played occasionally with our kids in the backyard

and Wednesday evening I watched Deborah and David's family play

it's a sweet thing to see what is old to you 

become something new and fresh 

because people you love are enjoying it

the contrast in strategy tonight was polar opposite to when I played as a child

my dad's family was ruthless

it didn't matter who you were-

youngest to oldest, if their ball landed next to yours they were "sending you"

as far as they possibly could

tonight I watched Deborah's family play-

allowances made for the least skilled

and the youngest, who quickly lost interest after her first turn,

was welcomed back whenever she wanted

there were no tears, no raised voices, 

only laughter and encouragement

having Jesus in your life makes a difference in the way you play and compete*

 *disclaimer: I am not saying that Christians cannot play, competitively, with a desire to win. I am saying watching a family have fun while competing, being realistic about expectations and making allowances for weaker players rather than preying on them, was a beautiful thing.