79-Love, Game, Set Over.

Dad, we said our good-byes by phone the other day, we both knew without saying, and yet, when I heard today that it is all over, it is still hard to believe that you are not somewhere out in cyber space. I like it that you were ready, that your wife was secure, that you were able to pick the time if not the place. I hope that I can do as well. We had our differences and yet, you showed me that it was the sum, and not the parts that counted. I hope that you felt the same about me. I remember playing tennis with you in the rain, when everyone had left, and in the dark, when everyone had left, and in the freezing cold when everyone had left. I thought about that on the way to work tonight. I know my family couldn't understand how I could work. But I knew that you would understand and approve. I'll play tennis tomorrow no matter what the weather. I hope that where ever you are you will join me, and you will drive me crazy with your dinks and spins and strategems. And I will drive you crazy with aces that you can't touch, mixed with double-faults that will piss you off because you think I am too casual and don't care. We will go to Foster Freeze one last time, have strawberry shakes, and then go back to the courts in the twilight, hustle anyone we can into doubles, and then, say our good-byes as we always do with the obvious left unsaid.