Tennis Match

Have you ever developed old-timey photographs? It's such a thrill when the paper is in the solution and the first faint lines of the photograph begin to show. At that point you know that your work, the setting up the shot, the taking it, the light, and the developing, have all worked together and your photo is coming through. We are having that same feeling in a different setting. 

 LO won her tennis match yesterday -- in fact, her team pretty much blotto'ed the other team. The opponents had scores only in the doubles matches, when our coach put in the lower-ranked players to give them some court time. Even then, the scores were 8-0, 8-3 and 8-5, with our doubles players winning. 

LO seemed embarrassed to be defeating her opponent so soundly. At about midway through the game, she began saying such things as, "Nice serve," "Good return" or just, "Nice!" At one point, I believe it was 6-0, a set had just completed, and the girls met at the net to adjust the score and grab a sip of water. LO smiled at the girl and said, "You ought to stop reaching for the ball when it's out of bounds. You could get the point if you'd let it go out." The girl smiled and said thanks, but kept trying to hit the ball. 

After their match, the opponents' coach approached LO and shook her hand. "Thank you for encouraging my player," he said. 

This morning, I was in the school library doing some volunteer work when the principal made the morning announcements. He congratulated the girls' tennis team and announced the scores. Then he announced he had received a call from the opposing coach, complimenting our girls on their good sportsmanship. 

We feel that LO is beginning to "get it." It is a thrill.