Story by Debbie Money (BBO: debdebdeb6)
My parents, both sadly now passed away, got me into bridge. Dad learnt to play when he went to Leeds University in 1952, and carried on playing with friends from work, both in the UK and abroad. My dad, Fred Turner, introduced my mum, Pat Turner, to bridge in the early years of their marriage, but they only played occasionally because of family and work commitments.
We moved to Cambridge, where I made new friends at sixth form and tried to play a very basic form of bridge! My brother and I flew the nest, and suddenly my parents had time on their hands. They took bridge classes, met up with friends to play, and then their bridge ‘career’ took off: they and their friends formed two different clubs, held bridge suppers, organised charity bridge tournaments, and went on bridge holidays. They swore blind they didn’t know how they had time to work!
I decided to take early retirement from teaching in 2018, and suddenly I, too, had time to spare, so I decided to take up bridge properly. I took lessons, had homework, and spent time with my parents, who checked my homework (a very strange flashback to my teenage years!). I also played socially with them and started playing at clubs near me.
Covid came along, and my mum passed away. My dad became frail, but he and I were still able to play online against some of his friends. We had a few misunderstandings about conventions, but the experience was good, if bittersweet, as Dad missed Mum, his regular partner.
I do so treasure the memories of them and their bridge.
Bridge on line was a life saver during covid. My husband has eye problems and does not fit in with table bridge it is very important for him to have on line bridge he plays with with anybody that willing to have a game from any country and loves it. I play with him nearly every day. Thank you so much for all the work you put in. Joan Needham
Oh no! BBO is BBO is not letting me play! It is saying I have reached my 5 game limit, even though I have not played any games at all today!!
Lovely story! This reminds me of my own parents. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful story, the power of bridge building
Thanks Debbie, my mom learnt how to play late in her life and always encouraged us to learn which I did now. Unfortunately mom passed away so we could never play together.
Debbie, you have been very lucky to have such parents who were experts and had great experience. You of course picked up the game very well .
👍🌹👍
I am and no longer have members able to play in a club and have depended on my membership with you to keep my mind alert but you make me play as a guest because you do not accept my former membership information.
doris gillespie
Memories will bridge the pain of loss.
Stay well and play on
Thank you Debbie for sharing your story
Mary