Elizabeth Bishop wrote, “The art of losing isn’t hard to master.”
When it comes to hoops, I know how to lose. During our weekly games, I
often match up with my friend Aaron, who is taller, faster, stronger,
and younger. For the last decade, Aaron has kicked my ass. But I always
enjoy the lesson he teaches me: Like everything else on the planet, I
am aging and I will die.
But a few times a year, I manage to outplay Aaron. Last Thursday,
Aaron spun on me and rose to the hoop, but I blocked his shot. That was
the first time I ever blocked his shot. Aaron cussed at me and laughed;
I silently celebrated. For a few seconds, I felt young, beautiful, and
transcendent.
Spiritually speaking, I think losing to Aaron is more important than
beating him. Don’t we become better players and people by being
humbled? And I think losing the Sonics might be more important than
keeping them. In being humbled by all those who don’t give a shit about
pro basketball, what lessons am I learning? What will I do with my
Sonics love when the subjects of my adoration are gone? 