The road to bridge!!
Over 7 years ago I retired from a career that had put a lot of demands on my time and
required that I travel extensively. Raising my children and the demands of my career did
not leave me with a lot of free time for hobbies.
I knew when I retired I would need to find something that would give me an opportunity to
meet new people, provide some structure to my week, and exercise my mind. I learned
bridge many years earlier while in college. However, I quickly learned that the bridge of
my youth was not the current age bridge. I knew Goren Rubber bridge only. I would need
to learn how to navigate this “new” game. It was like getting my license to drive all over
again. And boy did I drive into accidents on a regular basis.
Online I discovered that there was a game called “Duplicate Bridge”, and there was a
duplicate club about 40 minutes away. Surprisingly, I was hooked right away and often
took the wrong route across the bridge. I did not feel discouraged but challenged, and
happy when I got it right. I learned how to communicate without using words, but using
cards. I met new people and formed new friendships.
I traded my drive (via a bridge) to the office, to a bridge that didn’t really seem to have a
specific destination.
Along came the pandemic, and I found virtual bridge allowed me to continue this game
that my wife would describe as almost an addiction for me. I have played this game with
people around the country and also in other countries. My wife often cracks jokes about
bridge, and asks if any tolls are required. She will ask me when I actually expect to arrive
to the other side. Am I taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which is a very long bridge.
I love duplicate, and continue to play now in-person club games as well as online. I like the
people contact for in-person games; but equally love the on-line games in which I can keep
contact with friends from my first duplicate club who now live very far away.
As you have probably figured out, my wife doesn’t share my enthusiasm for the game.
However, as long as I don’t expect her to travel the “bridge” with me, she tolerates me
taking the “bridge” almost daily. Good thing we have two cars!