Then a short week later I was playing the US Senior Open qualifier and OUCH! That was the moment when I knew something had changed. But I wasn't quite smart enough to stop and withdraw. No, I needed to keep going because it is only a wrist...right! Right? Buck up buck O!!
The next day, a week ago today, Crystal and I drove to Monterey to begin practice rounds for the 1st Tee Natures Valley at Pebble Beach. The wrist was feeling a bit worse but I felt as if it might hold up for one more qualifier but in the midst of the practice round my wrist gave out. Well, not literally. It didn't go 'snap' as one guy asked but I did start to feel an intense pain. That evening Crystal, definitely being the smarter of the two of us, made me come to grips with reality. The bottom line, how could I possibly score well when I'm having trouble hitting the ball much less holding on to the club properly? DOH!
It's not that I want to be a hero and play through the pain. That's pretty idiotic at my age because we all have aches and pains and we know the value of a good steam room or jacuzzi. No, I wasn't playing the part of a sports hero, I just love to compete and really dislike the idea of missing out on a tournament. But wisdom prevailed in the voice of family and friends. I withdrew and begin the process of letting the wrist rest.
I know there's more to this than simply resting and waiting for the fuller healing. Yes, I can putt and even work one armed drills. I know I'll spend more time in the gym over the next few weeks maybe working on those dreaded core exercises that I have grown to love (after I'm walking out of the gym). It's more than just resting in the natural. There's something brewing on the inside. Knowing and entering that other kind of rest. The kind that only comes from having peace and learning that more can come from moments like these than I can create on my own. Why did my wrist start having these problems? Could I have been preventative? Could I have made a decision to rest earlier? That's old hat stuff. For me the real question is, what will I take from this month of rest? How much more will I gain from not playing and being in this position? How can I look to tomorrow and what I will gain and where I will be. A close friend of mine, Graham Cooke, calls this living present future. I'm living present future. A very interesting way to consider life.
I do appreciate all the encouragment, comments and prayers that have come my way. Please continue as my wrist rests.
Hit 'em hard and look up!
Byron
*NOTE: Profits from sales of Bringing the Future Into Today (Graham Cooke) will be donated to the Not For Sale Campaign. Learn more about NFS
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