So when did you start playing bridge? In high school? College? Not until grad school? Or did you begin to learn after getting settled into the career of your choice?
My guess is that for many of us, we began to learn bit by bit, perhaps playing every couple of weeks and attempting to stay out of the dog house. Or going out after the evening game ended, where the tough guys who had been playing for some time both fascinated and explained to the hoi polloi. And the newbies did their best to listen and learn, staying quiet after a few disasters - yet other times excited by the thrill of a win!
"Mad City" in Wisconsin had a myriad of games in The Rathskeller, with a wide variety of choices to play throughout the week. And more than a few - like myself - would aim to win at a variety of games, with bridge so very tough I would only do a bit here and there as the long time champs dazzled me with their brilliance.
One of my first incredible times at the bridge table was when my Aunt Rosalie (world's oldest living teenager, as Mike Passel would describe her) invited me to come to Oklahoma and play with Aunt Rosy and her many talented friends. Everyone was SO very nice to me and so much fun! And the tournament was the first - and last time that not only did I win masterpoints in every game that week - but I TRIPPLED my masterpoint holding! The crown jewel of my thrill was when our Sunday team WON the final event, beating Jim Jacoby and company!
As the years went by, I learned more, managed to not get hysterical when I lost an event by ONE masterpoint (ugh) - and meet players literally from all over the world. I was madly in love with bridge, the people (be they super stars or trying hard to learn) - and both worked hard to improve my game and have fun.
And then? 3 years ago I was waiting to hop on a flight to Las Vegas when suddenly I realized I could not stand up! I lied down on the floor, vomited non stop for about 45 minutes, until paramedics finally packed me up - and took me to the hospital. I won't go through the gory details of having 9 oncologists examine me each day, some weeping as they believed me to have the worst possible type of brain cancer. And the odds of me lasting an entire year were close to nil. But the good news? Turns out I did not have that type, and thus the odds were that I could last longer than originally anticipated. Unfortunately, my brain had been attacked so very much, the odds of my memory and a number of other previous abilities were such that much of me would always have many significant problems.
Which brings me to a simply wonderful time I had at our recent tournament! I kibitzed for two days, having not been able to see hardly anyone for about 2.5 years. And everyone competing could not have been nicer, friendlier, more supportive and fun! The last day of the tournament, I was included with the winners (despite being at home that day!) And again, everyone was so kind, I felt that I was in nirvana!
I am SO glad that people are beginning to play again! I am SO grateful that overall, those working so hard at our tournament were fabulous and did a superlative job. And I personally felt so lucky that I could kibitz, chat with friends I had missed for too long - etc., etc.
The odds for me are such that I may never be able to play bridge again. Yet with such fine people in our games - be they super stars or those working hard to become reasonable competitors - or just having loads of fun... I hope that bridge will begin to flourish once again, as it did years ago when I fell in love with the game and the people.
