Story by Barbara J. Meyer (BBO: bjmeyer)
My story began years ago when I was occasionally playing bridge and learning Goren. Then my life changed when my husband and I moved from Jacksonville, Florida, to Dalton. For 10 years my husband suffered from cancer. Needless to say, we were consumed with doctors, surgeries, chemo, and radiation, and moving back to Jacksonville for months of treatments at Mayo.
After moving back to Dalton, two years later my husband had gone home to be with his Lord and Savior. It was not too long after his passing that emptiness set in. I had heard about The Carpet Capital Bridge Group and started lessons in the beginners group. It was there that I grew not only in bridge but also in friendships. I started to feel that I had a purpose in life again.
I went from lessons to lessons and played three, sometimes more, times a week. One of the best parts was when I developed a new family through these groups. We started to travel to bridge tournaments, and oh my, did we have fun after bridge with so many laughs!
Then bridge expanded to traveling not only to South Florida but also twice to Europe on pleasure trips with one of my groups.
My family noticed that my life had changed and that I was happy again! I guess you might say they were off the hook with worrying about their mom!!
Now my kids have seen what you can make of life in your later years. As soon as they can break away from their busy lives, they are going to take up bridge!!
I want to leave others with hope and a meaningful life full of fun, keeping your mind sharp and opening a new adventure in life. There are all levels of bridge—you can start at the beginning stage and go from there to meet your new family.
God bless bridge!
My 2 year old bridge teacher told this sad widow that 'bridge would save my life'. It has kept me going in grief. Your story resonated. I hope one day to find happiness again.
Touching story, Barbara.
It is warm to feel you have what it takes to be open to new experiences and really enjoy a lot of the blessings the game is bringing to us.
My little role as a teacher is to make my students experiment the inside of bridge, appreciating it is all logic and psychology, not at all a matter of memory.
The Lord does not have to be a part of the equation, but you are so right to show that He enriches it. God bless you and your bridge.
Loved your story, Barbara. It’s true bridge brings new people into our lives. I have seven siblings and only one who plays bridge. The rest always tease us about “always playing bridge”. They just can’t understand!
Thank you all for your sweet replies to “My Story”.. you all have just added to my story in such a memorable way.
Thank you,
Barbara
what a heartwarming story and so true yhat bridge is much more than just a game it's a whole new way of life with new and fresh opening. bridge is truly a blessing and I thank you for your story which will help many who are lonely and or unhappy to take up this wonderful game.
Such a nice story. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Barbara for your Beautiful story.
You're so right Barbara. Bridge gets you out socially in old age. My husband is 89 and I'm 84 and we play at least 3x a week in non-sanctioned duplicate groups at two senior centers near us....sometimes we have 15 tables! Life is good!
Such a beautiful story! Yes Bridge is a new era of fun and new friendships. I am enjoying it so much. Thanks for sharing your story.
Bravo pour cette nouvelle vie avec le bridge !
On ne peut que le conseiller à tout âge puisqu'il peut durer toute une vie...
This is for Barbara J Meyer: Thank you for sharing your bridge story. From one Christian to another, I felt and understood your story. Although my story isn't quite the same, I know exactly how bridge can bring one a whole new group of friends, which sometimes become as family. I didn't begin to learn bridge until I was 60+ years of age. It is incredible how bridge acts as a catalyst in bringing in a whole new circle of friends! My husband retired from the military after 30 years of service, so I was used to meeting new people who eventually became a family of new friends....I sometimes wonder how people, as they grow older, can stay "cooped up" in their homes watching TV for weeks at a time, with no chance to meet others, limiting their chances of having new friends. I echo your comment: "Thank God for bridge!"
You do not have to be Christian for Barbara's story to resonate.
not necessary to add that to your reply.
Hıristiyan olmanı neden belirtmek istedin.selemlar
Whata beautiful and émotionnel story