Future Sabre Fencer
Our son is now fencing. I am still in disbelief as I write this. The irony is that my introduction to fencing came via an ex, who was an All-American Sabre fencer at an Ivy League University. This arcane sport took over my world during our years together as I became a Fencing Spouse. After the break-up I ran as far away as I could from this sport that dominates in Ivy Towers, running as far as to the Pacific Ocean, if truth be told. So, given my history with this sport, why would I encourage my son to take it up, you might ask? A question which I don’t have an answer for except to say that parenthood forces you to reconsider so many long-held fast rules and dictum.
My reintroduction to the sport came through a friend, whose daughter is a fencer. When she first mentioned it, I immediately recoiled since I haven’t separated the sport from that infamous ex. But the more she talked it up, I realized that I had to at least explore the possibility that my son may want to do this. So, when I brought it up, surprise, surprise, the little boy immediately said, yes! Why would he not since it involves swords?
After his initial lessons with the two time Olympian, I relented and agreed that he could continue. What has been eye-opening is that this fencing club seems evenly split between African-American and Asian-American fencers. How or why it is we have found ourselves in this particular club still makes me shake my head in wonder. So, instead of a fencing spouse, I have now become a fencing parent. Funny how life has a way of bringing things full circle.
