Page 107

20204RD

that would create a unique identity for himself seemed to have failed. For several days, Oren struggled with his disappointment. Mrs. Parker continued to encourage him. “Life always works out,” she said. But things got worse. On the heels of finding out he was medically ineligible for the Naval Academy, in November he was injured during a wrestling practice and tore his meniscus and strained his medial collateral ligament (MCL). Although the injury did not require surgery, he was forced to be in a brace for twelve weeks. “I was out the rest of season,” said Oren. To add insult to injury too, it seemed, a scout from Kennesaw State was coming. “They were looking for a long snapper.” Even though he’d only been in a leg brace for three weeks, he thought he might have a chance. “Kennesaw came and watched me and another player on the team, and I felt pretty positive. I thought, ‘Okay. I’ll go to Kennesaw.’ A week or two later, I heard they picked up another kid.” Disappointment was not the only thing that happened to Oren his senior year of high school. In November, he learned that he had been accepted into UGA’s Early Admission. His brother Rance will be gone; he graduates in the spring. But Oren can now see that the shadow his life will cast has always been his own. Interestingly, the challenges and disappointments became the greater teacher in his life. At present, Oren’s plan is to major in Agriculture Engineering. “And if things work out, I’ll have the opportunity to ‘walk on’ and see if I can make the cut.” He was talking football again, I realized. “I’ve been going to UGA football games practically since I was born,” he said. Another hope. Another dream. But whether or not Oren makes the UGA football team, he’s proven that he can adjust and take advantage of the winds even when they don’t blow in the direction for which he’d hoped. ��TCM Gifts, Monogramming,Vinyl & More! 538.8336 206A Mosley Street, Vidalia 105 E. Meadows Street, Vidalia 912.293.1198 Quality furniture, china, & special finds from days gone by. Hometown Living At Its Best 105 It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. –J. K. Rowling Yesterday’s Furniture Today’s Treasures Like us on Facebook: YesterdaysFurniture Join us for a unique dining experience that blends traditional Southern cuisine with bright, distinctive flavors. www.elementsbistro.com • 912-526-8005 Corner of US 1 & Hwy 292 | Lyons, Georgia | Tuesday-Saturday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm


20204RD
To see the actual publication please follow the link above