Over the last few years, the name of a weird sport kept popping up.

Over the last few years, the name of a weird sport kept popping up.

Pickleball.

Unfamiliar?

It’s a racket/paddle sport similar to tennis and ping pong.

It’s the fastest-growing sport in the US.

Two months ago, I caved into the hype.

I bought a set of rackets and balls and headed to the local courts.

Many of the players there were seniors.

But by how they dress, act, and look — you wouldn’t know it.

Most play multiple times a week for hours.

The gameplay is highly competitive.

You win; you stay on the court.

You lose; you sit out.

Yet everyone is positive, grateful, and kind to each other.

I was intrigued.

The group invited me to play.

What I lacked in skill as a newbie, I made up with youthful agility.

I had a blast.

I was hooked.

I’ve been playing more and more with them.

Every time I play, I feel inspired.

“I’m too old” isn’t in their vocabulary.

While everyone gets older, not everyone feels their age.

I feel younger than my age.

I used to question whether I ‘act my age.’

Should I still be doing certain activities?

Should I be listening to certain types of music?

Should I be wearing certain types of clothes?

My pickleball friends have taught me a lot about how to play the game.

Not only the game of pickleball.

But how to win at the game of life.

Age shouldn’t determine one’s vitality, lifestyle, or pastimes.

So I’m going to keep doing activities I want to do.

Listening to what I want to listen to.

And wearing what I want to wear.

Side out.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?