My 29-year-old niece, Brittany, is squaring off with a bully named Hodgkin's lymphoma. Making the fight even more challenging was the large deductible that needed to be met before her insurance would kick in. I say was because Brittany now has more than enough money to cover the deductible, thanks to her boyfriend, A.J., and a crew of friends, family, and strangers.
How did we help her? We bowled!
For weeks, A.J. registered teams, solicited raffle prizes, and took care of countless details like buying green wrist bands and Bowl for Brittany tee-shirts...
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His efforts were rewarded when Brit arrived at the bowling alley. Did I mention it was a surprise? The girl had no idea! The look on her face - or rather looks on her face, quickly morphed from It's not my birthday. Why are all of these people, who just happen to be bowling on a Saturday afternoon, yelling, surprise? to Hey, I recognize him...and her...and them to Why are my friends and family bowling on a picture-perfect SATURDAY? to Everyone is here for ME!
Everyone included...
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| My dad and Josh Gaines, who played defensive end for Penn State, the only bowler who could actually palm the ball. |
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| A gaggle of nieces... |
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| nephews... |
Then came the Movie Moment. The live band did a cover version of Journey's Don't Stop Believin'. As soon as the crowd heard the familiar opening chords, you could feel a surge of happy recognition. Then, as if on cue, everyone started singing, and then dancing...at their tables, on the lanes, wherever they were standing!
It was loud and unrestrained and spontaneous. Sheer happiness . As good as any movie moment. No, even better, because it was absolutely authentic.
And I was part of it, living out yet another expression of love: bowling.
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