Bowling for Stress?

It was like a slight panic set in over me. Why? I’m on vacation… I’m relaxed… I’m enjoying time with my family… what’s to be panicked about? After all, it’s just a fun, friendly, family time of bowling. And my kids have only bowled like twice, EVER. And, I have always been a pretty decent bowler – averaging well over 150 and typically pushing the 170’s.

It was the 4^th frame of our second game. I look at the automated scores displayed on the TV monitors above the pseudo scorers bench (remember when we actually used pieces of paper and our brains to keep score?). There it was. Bright as can be. As if it was screaming out for the whole bowling alley to see. Barry ‘43’ – Taryn ‘42’! Granted, I’m in first place. But my daughter is SIX… she’s SIX years old and she’s one pin behind me. Yes, the bumper guards were up… but I’m still a good bowler, right?

So then I get a strike and start talkin’ smack. “You’re goin’ down, Taryn.” And then she gets a strike. Gulp! Fortunately, I ended up pulling away from her until the 8^th frame. I look again at the scores (why do I even care… we’re just goofin’ around?). And there it is again, screaming out for everyone to see. Barry ‘87’ – Max ‘83’! You’ve got to be kidding me. My son is EIGHT! C’mon! The ninth frame comes… Barry ‘96’ – Max ‘91’! He could really beat me… he really could. This is supposed to be fun. I’m not having fun.

I did end up beating everyone – as it should be. All was once again right with the universe. I had 115 (which is just embarrassing for me… I’m still a good bowler… right?) and Max had 105. I suppose I could just be proud of my son for scoring so high. But then there’s the whole bumper thing. Why didn’t I have bumpers when I was a kid?