Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Earth Shatter # 1

1995 was a very good year, well at least the first ten months of it anyway. Life was rolling along in the Bowling Center business. My relationship with Betty was growing more and more, and then taking major steps back every once in a while, but nothing to get too worked up about. And then came November. Exciting news for Beatles fans, new CD's and a TV special (Anthology), Thanksgiving, Christmas, there was a lot to get excited about.
And then it was over . . .
Too many fights, too much insecurity and immaturity (mostly on my part). She walked into the bowling center on a Sunday. I was preparing to run a tournament. She gave me her ring and I lost it. I left, no tournament for me, I ran as far as I could. There just happened to be a Beatles Convention of sorts down near the airport so I went down there and basically spent an entire paycheck to try and forget about what had just happened. It didn't work, the music was great, but it didn't work. I remember a snapshot of me outside her window, straight out of a movie begging to be talked to, her father attempting to reason with me (he and her mother were so very sweet to me through all of it and I thank them for that). And there's another snapshot, a few nights later of me standing behind the counter watching The first night of the Anthology and watching Paul McCartney sing "Yesterday" and crying my 22 year old eyes out. Another snapshot a few weeks later of me (and this is the only time I've ever done this) sitting at a bar at another bowling center and enjoying strawberry wine coolers being supplied by a friend of mine who understood that I was hurting deeply. My dad, watched from a distance, embarrassed and concerned for his son. I cherish that part of the picture. That which I had come to see as the ultimate reality in my life was gone and there was no getting it back. So . . . I ran straight into 1996. More to come . . .

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Meanwhile . . .

He met Betty. We'll call her Betty. He was working down in Bugs Bunny World serving a demotion period for a mistake at another ride of which he was a lead. He thought he would be serving his time while waiting to climb that ladder again. But then . . . there she was and he was hooked. The two of them dated steadily and realized they both had a common interest, bowling. He was an average bowler, but she was outstanding. It seems that she had been bowling all of her life and was one of the top youth bowlers in the state of Georgia. He just tried to keep the ball out of the gutter as often as he could manage.
Meanwhile he was repromoted and things were back on track at Six Flags. That ministerial calling was fading into the background as career and possible family interests were muting the call of God. Still, he couldn't complain about where life was going. Except for one thing . . . he needed a full time job to pay his full time bills. And Six Flags could not give that to him, at least not yet anyway. He made a decision which he still considers a mistake today, he left Six Flags and started working in a bowling center. He still wishes he would have stayed at SFOG but he would have more steady work and it didn't hurt that Betty worked at this bowling center.
Well a few months later he and Betty were engaged. He was the Assistant Manager at the bowling center and the future was bright. But off in the distance that still small voice was still whispering . . . You're mine and I have called you to something else, something more, something . . . but enough of that, let's bowl another game and get on with life . . .

1995 would change things, EVERYTHING. More to come . . .

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Moving Right Along . . .

Well, it's a few days past tomorrow but nevertheless . . .

The angry young man leaves Young Harris after two years and experiences great success at Six Flags Over Georgia in the Rides Department and begins working his way up the ladder. Over the course of the next two years he ascends and descends as he struggles with the success at SFOG and his calling to ministry. And then in 1994 he meets her and becomes a little confused about his calling and his place of employment. God is working but the young man must admit he's clueless as to the direction of his life. More about her and the rise and fall of the mid-90's to come . . . Remember we're trying to uncover God's hand in each of these situations. More to come . . .