Visitors

     This past week we were home to a couple of visitors. Nana and Papa, my parents. We don't get to see them too much so the kids are always excited when they know that they are coming. They flew in a week ago last Thursday May 4th, which happened to be my 45th birthday. We had expected them to be at our house, new house which they had never been to, around 9:00pm. We went out for dinner just before 7:00pm so we figured we had lots of time. Just after we had finished eating the doorbell rang, our security system has an app that connects the house and our phones so actually Dawn's phone rang. Dawn talk to my dad through the doorbell cam, which I am sure was an unusual experience for him, and was able to unlock the front door for them as well.
     I had booked a few days off of work so that I would be able to spend some time with them, there had been lots of times in the past where I hadn't taken time and have regretted it. On the Friday there were still lots of things to get organised for the auction at our other house on that coming Sunday. I went out there fairly early and then my parents were nice enough to join me later and give me a hand. Staging stuff either on the trailer or on tables and then cleaning the dust off as well. The auction went well, or so I have been told I should get the paperwork this week, and I am sure it is due to the cleaning and the care of setting up. Thanks again for the help.
     On Monday I had made a T-time for my dad and I to play golf at Stony Plain Golf Course. It was a nice day and even though the greens were in terrible shape it was nice to spend the time together. The next day was supposed to be about the same for weather so I phoned another course to see if we could get a T-time for Tuesday. On Tuesday we played at The Ranch which was in great condition. All but maybe two of the greens were excellent and the rest of the course as well. Another difference in the days was that on the Monday we had been put together with another pair to make a foursome but on Tuesday we were left on our own. When we arrived they had told us that we were the next out. There were no people on the two holes ahead of us and no one else teed off until we were on the third or fourth hole. 
     I used to play golf fairly regularly, 15-20 rounds during the season. A change in jobs here, some kids over there another change in jobs over here, and this time seemed to vanish. The last probably five years I had maybe played two to three times a year. Usually in a tournament where you are not actually playing a full game but in a scramble. Anyways, I had always had the same issue that most golfers have, recovering after making a bad shot. Once a bad shot is made then in creeps doubt, second guessing followed by pressure to make an even better shot next time to recover. A couple of these in a row and most peoples game does not recover, or at least mine never did. On Tuesday though I noticed that something had changed. Instead of getting upset and letting emotions control the game I started breaking down what had happened and trying to change one thing before the next swing. 
     Did the game of golf get mastered that day? No. But on a personal level it was probably one of the best games I ever had the opportunity to play. The scorecard sucked and it didn't seem to matter, I got to spend some time with my father and learn some things about myself as well.