Bouncing Back: A Lifetime of Resiliency

Abstract

The sound of air being sliced as it rushes through the strings of a racquetball racquet whistles sharply just before the “Thwack!” of the hollow blue ball is heard first from the racquet and then off the far wall. The ball is now in play. Over the course of this game that blue ball will repeatedly bounce off walls, floor, racquets, and glass from a constant barrage of strenuous, sweat filled effort until a victory is achieved. The ball will bend and flex to the point that if watched in slow motion it would appear flat, only to return to original shape before again being pressured by an outside force. This will happen over and over, and each time the ball is smashed it bounces back, retaining its shape, because that is what the ball is intended to do. This is for what the ball is made, to be resilient.