Since I've been broadcasting from Chipper's Lanes on Wednesday nights, I've been reminded of some really great memories.  Mostly.

Geoff Gundy, TSM
Geoff Gundy, TSM
loading...

When I was 13, my mom and I lived alone together, and we didn't have a lot of money.  The one thing we looked forward to every weekend was my bowling on my league and eating yummy bowling alley food.

I won the bowling ball that's pictured (this pic taken at Chipper's just a couple weeks ago.)

Not long after, I entered into a tournament, and this time my mom was on my team, rather than just watching like normal.  We did so well that we advanced to the next tournament.

Before that day came, my mom died in a car accident, and I went to live with my dad.  When he and my sister took me to that tournament, I bowled my best game yet.  (I wasn't a perfect bowler, but that day I got a 185.)

I don't have a lot of "momentos," but my bowling ball, that freaking retro bag, and those two tournament towels, make me smile every time I open the bag - which, other than my recent Chipper's remotes, is generally only on New Year's Eve - as my mom always had a tradition that went way back to when our family was still intact, where we would do bowling and pizza on New Year's Eve.

Today, I am so blessed - with a wife who would die for me, twin girls, and a third, little sweetheart.  While nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, today I have more than I ever dreamt of!

More From K99