Persons attempting to find a "text" in this [story] will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a "subtext" in it will be banished; persons attempting to explain, interpret, explicate, analyze, deconstruct, or otherwise "understand" it will be exiled to a desert island in the company only of other explainers.
BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR - Wendell Berry's introduction to Jayber Crow.
This article was posted to Jayber on 22 November 2005 by to the following categories: Family.
An audio version of this article is also available.
For those of you that know about my brother Brian and the accident he was in this past summer, you may be interested to know that last week, he played his first bit of tennis.
On Monday, I had a USTA match at the Wooddale Rec Center and Brian and Jill came to watch. Afterwards, Brian and I went out on a vacant court and played a game of Short Court which is just a version of tennis that you play up close to the net.
Some of the other guys on my team saw him play, and immediately knew why he was a MN state doubles force. He's always been a great player and it was cool for people to be able to see him volleying so well even though his lateral movement was limited.
It was an especially encouraging day for Brian. Tennis has played a big part in our family's life as both Brian, Heidi, and myself, played a lot growning up. Brian even started the Men's tennis program at Southwest State University.
Brian continues to make steady progress in his recovery. Thanks for your prayers. The main concern still remains: that feeling would keep returning to his left leg.
Mark, thank you for sharing about this event. We look forward to playing table tennis tomorrow.
Brian, your can-do attitude is remarkable. It was awesome to see you play! I respect you for all you have overcome to be where you are now.
wow brian your so inspiring to me ,i know what you have been through i had an accident on aug27 ,2005 i suffered some severe injuries a compound femur fracture to my right leg and needed graph as well .I am home and recovering i still waiting for another surgery in jan .This the most difficult experience .Brian your amazing you never gave up and your walking now which i pray and hope that i will soon .I pray for your complete recovery and health brian .You will get there your a very strong person and the light is shinning on you brian ……keep it up
Thank you Claudia for you words of kindness. I would say that it is people like you that inspire people like me. I say this because even though you are going through your own experience, you are taking the time to lift others up in their time of need when reality says that your time of need is more important. So thanks for going against the grain…it seems that is one thing that God has granted both of us. I will continue to fight for a full recovery every day as I’m sure you will. There are things in this world that are so precious and are sometimes overlooked, and it’s my humble opinion that ‘words of encouragement’ are greatly under-estimated. Thank you again Claudia and you have a wonderful Holiday Season.
Brian ‘spare legs’ Benson