Revolutions

Today while out on my roll, I was astonished to see a very familiar sight.

Bach Bowling Supply?!  I nervously went inside and my core suddenly soared.  I was HOME!  And there....behind the counter....was PAPA!  Our eyes met and in an instant I was back in his arms as if no time had passed.

Of all the other balls, I had been his favorite.  We had a bond.  I got top shelf placement, and was always full price.  He only showed me off to the best bowlers, never the beginners.  He didn't want me stuck with an amateur.  He believed I belonged in the big leagues.  The sky was the limit, and I felt seen.  Then, after a few months, the economy tanked, I was put on the clearance shelf, and some kid in a green jacket named Anthony produced a gift card and had "PICKLE" engraved on my forehead.

Don't get me wrong.  Anthony always treated me well.  Threw me with conviction.  Buffed me with enthusiasm.  Stored me with care.  I never wanted for anything.  Until that day he accidentally left me at the bowling alley, and I decided to try and make it on my own.  And now I'm back where I started, full circle.  I can't tell you how joyous a reunion this was.

Papa put me up on the scale and I heard him murmur "14 pounds".  Wow, well four of those pounds are definitely Peanut M&Ms. 

Since I live in Hollywood now, I considered getting some "work done".

Before I left, Papa buffed me with a new crying towel that he said I could keep!  He also gave me a ball stand to carry with me in case I ever wanted to "sit still".  He looked me over for scratches and I could see concern and nostalgia in his eyes.  From the day we are delivered to the store from the assembly line, to the day he brings us to life with the drill, and bestows upon us our name with the engraving machine, to the day he releases us to our new families, Papa always loves us, just the way we are.  And if we return, full of worldly battle scars and anger and sadness and curiosity and life experience, we are always welcomed back, always at home at Bach Bowling Supply, and Papa still goes on loving us, just the way we are.  Some places and people you never leave, and vice versa - they go with you wherever you go.  For the first time in my life, I was filled with so much joy and love that I actually felt tears streaming down my surface.  I wiped them with my cool new crying towel and examined the dampness.  For a moment I marveled at the possibility that I might be turning human.  Like a modern-day Pinnochio.  That this new discovery of what love is, this connection to my past, somehow unlocked something special inside of me I didn't know I had.  I looked up at Papa.  He looked down at me with all the wisdom and wonderment of a grand creator and I felt new life roar through me.