It was our granddaughter’s sixth birthday and the party was to be held at the local bowling alley. Lyle and I were going along as grandparents in an additional supervisory capacity. Our daughter, Jennifer gave the kids three rules. Remember to take turns, try not to drop the ball, and have fun.
It was going well until I took a turn to bowl. At this point I should tell you that the bowling lanes were in semi-darkness. I think that this was supposed to add ambience to the otherwise more sterile atmosphere. However, darkness severely limits my vision. Also, we were all wearing face masks. Although I agree that face masks are necessary in these COVID times, the mask does seem to restrict what I am able to see. This might all add some explanation to what happened next.
I stood beside the row of balls and as I reached down to take one at the end of the row, I caught a slight movement out of the corner of my eye. It was another ball coming back to join the row. Fortunately, I was in time to whip my hand back and save my fingers from being crushed as the two balls slammed together.
Unfortunately, I already had a partial grasp on my intended ball and when I pulled my hand out of the way, that ball came too. I knew instantly that I didn’t have a firm enough hold and the ball was going to drop to the floor. Whoops! There went Jennifer’s second rule of the day.
However, the ball didn’t make its first contact with the floor. Instead it landed squarely on my big toe. I suppose it could have been worse. Those bowling balls are heavy. I could have ended up with a broken bone in my foot. Instead, Lyle tells me that my toe is now a delightful shade of black and blue with the promise of green and yellow still to come.
Bowling does have some inherent hazards for someone with limited vision. Nevertheless, I’m sure that I am ready to try it again. Perhaps next time I will find a bowling alley with lighted lanes and maybe enlist the assistance of a sighted guide.
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