After my "near death" experience in my final year in Oldham, I was still single and, as far as I was concerned, enjoying life. Then for some odd reason, one morning I spoke from my heart, "I'm lonely". I have no idea where that came from! had accepted a job at Hamlin High School. I was in the process of joining the Air Guards, and everything was looking good. Why did I say that? This lonely feeling went away--> as quickly as it came. I spent the following week taking tests for the Air Guards, and planning my move to Bryant for my new teaching job. The requirements to teach computer science had changed, and I needed more college credits. It was always my dream to take a class in Boston at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) at one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. So why not? I signed up for a computer class, drove my motorcycle to the Chicago area, stayed with a friend's parents, had his dad drive me to O'Hare International Airport, caught a plan to Boston, and checked-in to the MIT dorm.

The weeklong class concluded, but my flight was not scheduled till Sunday. I decided to tour the Boston area (this doesn't have anything to do with meeting Laurie, but this side-story is so amazing, that made me believe that God was trying to get my attention.) Anyway, I was touring Boston and ended up in the John Hancock Building. I walking along the top floor observation deck, and looked down upon Fenway Park, and noticed that the Boston Red Sox were having a game. I discovered from the person next to me, that Boston was playing the California Angels (interesting team name), and they had just started the game. Now this is no lie! --> Even though I was not a big major league baseball fan, for some reason I had it in my head, and had mentioned it to several friends, that I would love to see Reggie Jackson hit a home run someday. Well Reggie played for the Angels, and he was a stone-throw distance from me. I made my way to the Fenway Park, not really expecting a ticket to be available. I got in front of the ticket line, and a guy and his wife asked me if I needed a ticket. They had an extra ticket, and saw me standing in line. I asked "How much do you want for it". They replied, "We just want to give it to you free". By now I am shocked, and slobbering words of thanks to the couple. When I got in the park, I realized that this ticket was not in the nose bleed section, but down the right field sideline, three rows up from the field. Reggie played right field, and I was about 50 yards from him! During the game, Reggie had a walk, a hit, and was up for his last time at bat in the top of the 8th inning. With 2 strikes, Jackson connected, and sent the ball high to deep left center field ... and guess what? He hit a home run! Once again, it was one of those moments where I had to look to the Heavens, and say "Thank You!" 

Ok, what about Laurie? So I get on the airplane in Boston, fly to Chicago, drive my motorcycle back to Oldham, intending to continuing on to Delmont for a fishing trip with my dad. After a 11 hour ride on the cycle, I decided to spend the night in Oldham, and head for Delmont in the morning. Beside my teacher friend, a former student of mine, Mike, had moved in my house. When I arrived home, Mike came out to my cycle, told me that his cousin was in town, that someone was having a birthday, and that I should go eat some cake, and checkout his cousin. The cake sounded good, so I agreed to go to his parent's house. I entered the door, looking for the cake, and this gal across from the table greeted me. Sparks didn't instantly fly--> I had just cycled 11 hours, and was fighting staying awake. As you may have guessed, the gal was Laurie, and we stood and ate cake together. So why was Laurie in Oldham, a town of 158 people?

Evidently, Laurie's dad Jerry had previously babysat her two young children the week before, and neither of them knew the difference between a horse and a cow. Jerry's parents lived on a farm in Oldham, and Jerry told Laurie he was taking them to Oldham to the farm to educate them. Laurie's thought was, "Great, I can have a weekend to myself." But little did she know, that's not what Jerry had in mind. He insisted that she accompany them to Oldham.

We had a nice talk, but right in the middle of a sentence, and loud screaming noise came from upstairs, "Mother, get up her now!!" Her daughter was so persistent, and loud, that Laurie left to quiet her down. Mike and I left to go back to my house, and I thought that was the end of our short encounter.

I was out in the driveway cleaning off my cycle, and Mike hands me the phone. "I called Laurie, talk to her." I gave him the look, and proceeded to talk to Laurie. I asked her if she wanted to go to Desmet, where they have a nice tavern, with live music. The rest is 34 years, and counting, of history making - Never again did I have the desire in my heart to say, "I am lonely".    

Then for some odd reason, one morning I spoke from my heart, "I'm lonely". I have no idea where that came from!