Chapter 23: The longer you wait the sweeter it is

 

Chapter 23:

The longer you wait, the sweeter it is

October 2013

Life is crazy sometimes. Too crazy.

After being denied from the GLOBE program I was back to the grind and in search for more opportunities.

It wasn't longer after the rejection email that I received an email that reassured me that trusting in God is truly the best thing to do.

On Oct 2, 2013, I received an email from the assistant men's basketball coach, CB McGrath asking me to become a JV basketball manager. Cover your ears.

 I screamed. I yelled. And I punched my suite mate until all of my energy was gone. In short, I accepted the position and have been working as a manager for a few weeks now. The job is not as much as a time commitment as the varsity football position and also I actually have a passion for basketball. I will be sharing more about the position in a later chapter, but for now I am in love with the position. It is truly a dream come true.

I survived the first wave of exams and realized it was time for another fall break. It kind of snuck up on me; I guess time does fly when you’re having fun??

This fall break seemed different. I was less worried with what what my mom could cook for dinner, but I was more worried on just relaxing with my family with no worries. Fall break would be the first time I had been home in about 6 weeks. However, I found that the longer I was away from home the faster the time went. I didn't forget about the little town of Valdese but I was getting used to seeing something bigger. Not better just bigger and with bigger comes more adventure. And that's what I love. So venturing back home was awesome. I had missed my family, but not homesick, I had missed my town, but not that feeling of wanting to live there again.

My goals became clear. Moving away is needed for me to chase my dreams. However coming home is ever so sweet.

On Friday night of Fall Break I went to my high school’s homecoming game. I do have to say I wasn't going for the game but for the people. It's very difficult to watch a high school football game when you are so used to the college football atmosphere. When I arrived at the game with my friend we were greeted with pins from our graduation year, which just gave me another reminder that I will be graduating again in the near future.

When you live in a small town like I do you know everyone, so a football game turns into a reunion. I was able to see a bunch of friends that I grew up with and some of my past teachers. I was walking through the concourse area when I heard a familiar voice, “Austin Helms.” As I turned around I saw my second grade teacher, Mrs. Leslie Cline. Without a doubt she is one of my all-time favorite teachers, and seeing her on this homecoming night seemed every so fitting.  She informed me that she reads my blog on the regular and she hopes that one day her son will be able to benefit from my experiences/advice. It put a huge smile knowing that she reads my blog and also knowing that I could make a difference in someone else’s life that had such an impact on mine. After we chatted for a while she made it clear that she better be one of the first ones to have a copy of my book!

Going back home is always awesome. I gain weight, get a bunch of loving, and get to catch up on the small town gossip. Life is defiantly crazy. But that's why it is so worth living.

 "The longer you wait the sweeter it is.” The last night of Fall Break my family and I went down to my Pawpaw Wade’s house to give him a visit. As we were pulling in I noticed how pretty the sky was and convinced my dad to drive out in the field so I could capture the moment. The beautifully pained orange sky lit up the mountains in the near distance. It was breathtaking. It looked a lot like my life. Way off in the distance I see something, but now I must wait and keep on working towards my goals.  There is something sweet out there, maybe not as sweet as your mommas loving, but keep working.