I am distressed that one of my favorite “older” players is sick, the kind of sick that results in a hospital stay. A hospital stay when you are past eighty-five Is not a good thing. In fact, it is generally a bad thing. I am hopeful that my friend’s playing of racquetball for the last decades will help him recover.

I’ve talked about staying healthy by playing racquetball. I believe that we, the generic we, and the specific we also, can stay healthy playing racquetball. It’s an aerobic sport that keeps our heart beating, our minds active, and our bodies alive and thriving.

Remember to stay healthy by playing racquetball. A slow racquetball game, even doubles, beats a heart attack most days. A singles game can keep our hearts beating stronger for a longer length of time.

My friend who is sick is a regular at our club, but he does not always play racquetball. The group of players he has been with has thinned over the last few years (and I mean few because it is only over the last year or so). Players have died, had to take care of ill relatives, and just tired out enough they no longer play.

But my friend has come to the club, performed his regiment of exercises, and then almost hobbled to the racquetball area to see who is around to play. Used to be that there were enough people that one or two had to sit out from doubles play. Now it can be a struggle to find four people to play a decent game of doubles.

So think good thoughts about my “elderly” friend. Stay healthy. Be happy. Love racquetball and let racquetball love you.