Recently,Martina Navratilova anounced she was diagnosed with breast cancer.It was really a disturbing thing to read in the morning news.I'm very glad to hear the prognosis is excellent.No question the entire process is a battle,but she can make it through.
Martina is the reason I started watching tennis.I saw her playing in the 82 Canadian Open.She won the singles and doubles.It was on ESPN.She was wearing the red,and white Kim clothing at the time.Using the revolutionary Yonex R7 racket.I have a very clear image of it.I read a magazine article about her,and decided to see how she would do in the upcoming US Open.She was favored to win.She lost to Pam Shriver.It turned out she was suffering from toxoplasmosis.She was ill,and out of sorts.I did feel bad for her.
I watched most of the tournament.It was a fascinating spectacle to me.I can't remember watching tennis before that summer.I'm sure I had some consciousness of it.I kind of knew who some of the people were.I'm sure I had heard of Chris Evert,John McEnroe,Bjorn Borg,Jimmy Connors,and of course Billie Jean King.
I was a teenager,and ready to learn about some new enthusiasm.I've always loved to learn.It feels like the best,most exciting phase of experience.I just started watching all the tennis I could.I've watched every major tennis event since then.That's over 100 Grand Slams in a row.No not every match.I follow it.I know whats going on,the story.Of course I've had many other things to attend to in life.But I always make time to for the big tournaments.It's been quite a show.
I have a lot of affection,and empathy toward Martina.I don't want to see her suffer.There is something so unguarded about her feelings.She just can't hide much.
She's emotional to a fault.I'm sure I was emotional about watching her play.I know I was always very happy when she won.It gave me a warm feeling of satisfaction for her.
But the fact is,I know I don't have very many personality traits in common with her.
Maybe we do need to feel for others that show us what we lack in ourselves.I wouldn't change my personality.I wouldn't change hers either.
I'm afraid for her.Cancer is so grim.It's horrifying to see people being harmed by cells in their own body.Being mutilated,poisoned,irradiated to survive.It makes me furious seeing humans lose their dignity.
She's lucky to have caught it so soon,and have such good prospects.
I'm glad to know she has many friends who care about her,and will be there to support her.Cluster round,as Bertie Wooster would say.
Yes,I do think she can survive this and live many more years.
One thing that amazes me about Martina is that she finds it perfectly natural to ask people to like her.Not the way I look at my relations to others.I'll take mild regard.But Martina is always pleased as punch to be loved.How odd and charming.At some point I just gave in.I don't think it took very long.
I can't imagine the world without her now.How I hope she returns to good health.
No comments:
Post a Comment