Fys 110 - Family Narrative Paper

Jeffery Mann

Atlas

10-9-17

FYS 110

Family Narrative Paper

        My great grandfather (dads side) was originally from Germany before moving to the United States over a hundred years ago. He, my grandmother, and her siblings all moved to Connecticut to try and create a new life for themselves. My grandfather (also dads side) has always been from the United States. Before he met my grandmother, he served in the war. When he returned, he became a carpenter and ended up building her house and that is how they met and have been together ever since. Both also bowled all their lives. My mother is from Anderson, IN. She started working in a bowling at the age of 16. She also worked in the bowling alley in Noblesville, IN which is where my father happened to bowl and work. They met each other in a bowling alley. And my father was one heck of a bowler. They have been together ever since.

        This story explains my family history and mythology because it is centered around bowling. Everyone has either met because of bowling or just done bowling in general. Funny enough, my girlfriend that I have been together with a year and a half, we met in a bowling alley. And that’s all my life has been centered around since I was a little kid. My father has been my coach my entire life and he was the one that gave me the drive to want to be just like him. Seeing how dedicated he is to everything he does and such an amazing family man. One thing that I believe has been passed down from generation to generation isn’t a physical object, but a set of skills. Skills that can be used to teach others as well as use the skills to better yourself. Bowling is so much harder than everyone knows, but that’s why I enjoy it and have done it all my life. I grew up with my dad working in the back of the bowling alley and sometimes he would let me come with him to the bowling alley at 6 in the morning and he would start opening the bowling alley up and he would have one lane on for me to bowl as much as I want. I know my parents have given up a lot to try and give me the best opportunities within my sport and anything we do. And I am going to make sure my kids get the same. And they are going to be great bowlers as well. Everything that has been passed down to me through the years, all the knowledge and wisdom and great family stories will one day be handed down to my own when the reach an age of understanding.