Wednesday, March 27, 2019
I used to see Al at least three times a week for the past two decades at LifeTime Fitness Crosstown. Years ago, I would see him with his tennis whites and his racquets, coming in or out of the courts as I was coming off the soccer court. Both Al and I were among the more senior players in our respective sports. When I started chatting with him, I quickly figured out that he was a very experienced tennis player, who was still winning singles and doubles crowns in his age brackets; I asked my friend Raj who is an elite tennis pro in the clubs, and he confirmed that Al indeed was a "legend" in the Minneapolis tennis community.
One day, he asked me about my soccer game and about how I was doing. I jokingly told him that the younger guys were "working me over" a bit. He said, with concern and sage advice, "You make sure you don't let them do that: use your experience with those whippersnappers!" We laughed and laughed. Whenever we met in the club, he brought a smile to my face. I could see him struggling to make it to the club, with a walker and without his beloved racquets. Yet, he still brought a smile to everyone who came across his path. Some people have that effect on others, and Al was one of them.
I knew he was home bound for a while, and I miss him every day. God grant him eternal rest.
Eapen Chacko
