Queen of the walkup song

Grandma Peggy had the best walkup song.

Not just because, in the whole, celebrated history of the Kostelnik Family Ping Pong Tournament, no one has ever had a walk up song.

No, Grandma Peggy’s was the best because she and her partner/grandson Vinnie executed it with such flair. They rose above the wool fibers of the 65-year old Letterman sweaters they wore (to which each was absolutely allergic) and wowed us all with their dance moves.

The whole spectacle almost distracted us from the annual frustration of seeing my nephew Michael and daughter in-law Danni win the tournament… again.

Bo-ring.

Imagine my chagrin when, on the family text chain that recounted this year’s tournament, Tara asked who Danni and Michael beat in the championship game and Danni could not recall.

“I honestly don’t remember, blacked out from adrenaline,” she wrote.

Guess who they lost to?

That’s right me and my partner Jeff, AKA Danni’s Dad.

The nerve!

We’re a competitive bunch and one day we will dethrone Michael and Danni. Until then, we’ll all be reviewing our strategies, developing game plans and, maybe, coming up with up own walkup songs.

The truth is this tournament is a whole lot of fun. It’s weather resistant because we’re hardy souls. We’ve played it under the scorching sun and in the bitter cold. My mom’s tidy garage has seen it all.

Every iteration celebrates a time we’ve been able to gather and we’re always grateful for that.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go practice my spin serve…and find myself a cool walkup song.

Let’s go!