I had it all mapped out. It was the first week of college, which was a small two year school, located in northeastern North Carolina, about 40 minutes from home.
After two years there, I’d transfer to my parents alma mater, East Carolina University. Afterwards, back home to work in my family’s small auto parts store.
at least that was the plan…..
I’ve been reflecting on how in the past couple of years, learning the “rest of the story” has made an impact on my life. In particular when it comes to encounters with new people that cross my path. Typically, new encounters were at best a surface conversation, then I’d most likely never see them again.
Yet, by taking the time to learn the “the rest of the story” a few encounters have developed into friendships, mentors, and opportunities.
What also seems to run parallel to this is the pivotal moments in life where you are faced with a decision that can change the trajectory of your path. I’ve found that it’s often the little decisions, that turn out to play big part in shaping the rest of your story.
My dorm room was on the third floor, and just down the hall were a set of identical twins. These guys were towers, standing at least six feet two.
Tall, but timid.
They were obviously homesick, and struggling to adjust. To make matters worse, there was a bully on the hall.
The bully carried the moniker of “Smurf” as he stood just over 5 foot tall. Smurf, a sophomore, zeroed in on these newbies away from home. I noticed him confronting one or both of the twins, a couple times within the first few days of school.
I thought to myself, why wouldn’t these guys stand up to him? Heck, they were twice his size.
Growing up, I was never much of a fighter. I’d be more inclined to talk my way out of a confrontation than fight my way out. I recall a couple of schoolyard tussles, but typically by the way of conversation, most issues were resolved.
Later that first week of school, as I’m treading through the dorm lobby, I see Smurf has one of the twins cornered. I can’t let it pass, as the only thing I see in the twin’s face is fear and tears.
I say to Smurf “why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” ( I recall chuckling at the irony)
Smurf then turns, and starts heading towards me at a brisk pace. Just as he’s about to get up in my face, I grab him and with luck and leverage, toss him.
Right out of the window.
Actually, right through the window, as it was closed.
Smurf is laid out in the bushes with glass all around him. Thankfully, we were on the first floor and the bush broke his fall. The only thing hurt was his pride.
The dorm resident director was an older student, who had an apartment just off the lobby. He heard the commotion and stepped out to investigate.
The wittinesses helped him out.
“that dude threw Smurf out the window”
By this time, Smurf had made his way back inside, and we went into the resident directors office. We both shared our sides of the story, and he excused Smurf from the room.
I was told to stay.
“How am I going to tell my dad, I got kicked out of school the first week?” That’s all I was thinking. What was I going to do? Why didn’t I just mind my own business?
As the resident director starts to speak, I’m waitng for the bomb to drop. I imagine he’ll give me time to pack up all my stuff before I’m escorted off campus. At least I hope.
“How’d you like to be an R.A.?” That’s what he asked.
Whoa! didn’t see that coming. “What?”
He said there was an opening for a resident assistant on the first floor. I’d get a private room, plus I’d get paid.
Sold!
Things travel quick on a small campus, and for the next few days I’d often overhear someone say,
“that’s the dude that threw Smurf out the window”.
Over the course of the year I became good friends with the resident director. We continued to stay in touch the following year, as he had transferred to NC State, in Raleigh.
It was close to graduation, and I was still on plan to head to ECU the following fall. One day he called and said that if I wanted to spend the summer in Raleigh, they had a rent free room.
I accepted, ended up staying in Raleigh, attending NC State, which led to…. well, I’m getting ahead of my self.
lets just say the college sport of Smurf tossing changed my trajectory, and put me on towards a different path in life.
How about you? Are you on the same path you imagined? If not, perhaps take some time and think about what, or who influenced a different direction. I think you may find an interesting through line develop.
In my case, there’s a side road of poor choices. As the journey gets longer, I can begin to see how even those events equipped me to handle the bumps and potholes along my current path. This lets me not focus on the rear view mirror as if I’m leaving the scene of a wreck. Instead it lets me easier navigate the road ahead, staying out the deep ditches.
I bet you’ll find the same.
Oh, as you may imagine, I had no trouble on my hall.
Also
The cost of the window did come out of my first check.
A price I’d gladly pay again.
rescued and restored
al