Post by Drew Stevenson on May 17, 2016 0:22:44 GMT -6
Bzzzz…
As I flipped the switch to my grandfather’s old gym, it took several moments before the lights actually came on. The smell of dust was heavy and to anybody with allergies? This place would definitely be a nightmare. Everything was just the way I last remembered it before heading off to Hawaii to train with the legendary Greg Mitchell which kick started my wrestling career. Seeing the old ring as well as the punching bags, weight machines and the likes really brought back a lot of memories for me.
Grandma: Wow… I haven't been here since your grandfather died!
Not realizing that my grandmother was behind me, I spun around to see her standing there – almost in tears as this brought back a lot of memories for her as well. With both of us going relatively quiet for a moment; I nodded my head and then broke the silence so she didn't have to.
Stevenson: Yeah, it has been a long time since I have really been here as well. I mean, sure, I have partially walked in a couple of times but this is the first REAL time that I have turned on the lights and really looked at everything that grandpa had.
Placing my hands inside the pockets of my bluejeans, I took a slow stroll around the old gym just looking around at everything.
Grandma: You know Drew, your grandfather always wanted you to have this gym. He always said that it wasn't much but at least it was paid for and it was something that he could pass along to you since he always knew since you were a child just how much that you loved wrestling.
Hearing those heartfelt words, that was just the kind of guy that my grandpa was – always looking out for me, always making sure that I was taking care of. Taking in a deep breath, I'm not going to lie, I was holding back some emotions as well because this is a pretty trying time to me and I was trying to make amends; trying to repair many of the broken fences that I managed to create over the past couple of years.
Stevenson: I sure do miss him…
Turning around to face my grandmother, tears welted up in her eyes as I could tell that she missed him as well. Walking up to her, I pulled her in for a gentle hug because I knew that grandpa was her best friend and the day that he passed? A part of her was buried with him and I wish I could say that I understood but I don't because I never lost my life partner.
Grandma: … I do too Drew, very much! You do know that your grandfather was very proud of you, right?
Looking into her brown eyes, I could see the pain on her face but I could also see just how proud of me that she was. In my personal opinion? I didn't deserve her praise because I messed up, I built a fortune and then pissed it all away but my grandmother has always stood beside me; through thick and thin and I am so grateful for that and her.
Stevenson: I know he was, I talked to him the day that he died which was ironically the same day that I won my very first World Heavyweight Championship.
Still hugging my grandmother, we stood side by side in this beautiful family moment. I know that I have made a lot of mistakes but I'm going to correct them, I really am a changed man and you will see that if you haven't already. Looking around at this old gym which holds so many memories to me and my family, I already have visions to bring it back and one way or another, I am going to make amends as well as restore my family name to the way that it used to be before I tarnished it with my arrogance, with my greed.
Stevenson: Let’s go get some lunch, how does that sound grandma?
Grandma: That sounds wonderful sweetheart!
Looking down at my grandmother who is looking up at me, we share a smile together and then walk to the door of grandpa’s old gym. Flipping the switch, the lights turn off but not for good because I am going to restore what my grandfather built in the first place.
As I flipped the switch to my grandfather’s old gym, it took several moments before the lights actually came on. The smell of dust was heavy and to anybody with allergies? This place would definitely be a nightmare. Everything was just the way I last remembered it before heading off to Hawaii to train with the legendary Greg Mitchell which kick started my wrestling career. Seeing the old ring as well as the punching bags, weight machines and the likes really brought back a lot of memories for me.
Grandma: Wow… I haven't been here since your grandfather died!
Not realizing that my grandmother was behind me, I spun around to see her standing there – almost in tears as this brought back a lot of memories for her as well. With both of us going relatively quiet for a moment; I nodded my head and then broke the silence so she didn't have to.
Stevenson: Yeah, it has been a long time since I have really been here as well. I mean, sure, I have partially walked in a couple of times but this is the first REAL time that I have turned on the lights and really looked at everything that grandpa had.
Placing my hands inside the pockets of my bluejeans, I took a slow stroll around the old gym just looking around at everything.
Grandma: You know Drew, your grandfather always wanted you to have this gym. He always said that it wasn't much but at least it was paid for and it was something that he could pass along to you since he always knew since you were a child just how much that you loved wrestling.
Hearing those heartfelt words, that was just the kind of guy that my grandpa was – always looking out for me, always making sure that I was taking care of. Taking in a deep breath, I'm not going to lie, I was holding back some emotions as well because this is a pretty trying time to me and I was trying to make amends; trying to repair many of the broken fences that I managed to create over the past couple of years.
Stevenson: I sure do miss him…
Turning around to face my grandmother, tears welted up in her eyes as I could tell that she missed him as well. Walking up to her, I pulled her in for a gentle hug because I knew that grandpa was her best friend and the day that he passed? A part of her was buried with him and I wish I could say that I understood but I don't because I never lost my life partner.
Grandma: … I do too Drew, very much! You do know that your grandfather was very proud of you, right?
Looking into her brown eyes, I could see the pain on her face but I could also see just how proud of me that she was. In my personal opinion? I didn't deserve her praise because I messed up, I built a fortune and then pissed it all away but my grandmother has always stood beside me; through thick and thin and I am so grateful for that and her.
Stevenson: I know he was, I talked to him the day that he died which was ironically the same day that I won my very first World Heavyweight Championship.
Still hugging my grandmother, we stood side by side in this beautiful family moment. I know that I have made a lot of mistakes but I'm going to correct them, I really am a changed man and you will see that if you haven't already. Looking around at this old gym which holds so many memories to me and my family, I already have visions to bring it back and one way or another, I am going to make amends as well as restore my family name to the way that it used to be before I tarnished it with my arrogance, with my greed.
Stevenson: Let’s go get some lunch, how does that sound grandma?
Grandma: That sounds wonderful sweetheart!
Looking down at my grandmother who is looking up at me, we share a smile together and then walk to the door of grandpa’s old gym. Flipping the switch, the lights turn off but not for good because I am going to restore what my grandfather built in the first place.