A Chink in the Armor

In my bio, I have this quote:  “To this day, I am still an enigma to many who know me.  Perhaps one day, I will sit down and tell the full story to all.”  It is not meant to be a insult to anyone.  It actually is something that exists in all of us.  We wear different masks to different people.  For example, I’m sure some people from my past life are shocked to see me with a little bit of an attitude (primarily when it comes to sports).  But, to be fair, the attitude has always been there as some who really know me can attest seeing me in private moments.  I have kept up more of armor when it comes to things such as the attitude—not because of any embarrassing reasons, but just because it would be difficult to explain why I have my attitude.

Having lived in three different areas (Atlanta, Chicago, and Baltimore), it’s easy to keep that armor on and guard the different phases of my life—something that is perfect for my job.  Still, I have often wandered what would happen if some of my friends in one area met friends in another area and shared some of the stories about me.  What would happen if Brian Lenz met Justin Ellis?  Or if Beth Smith would happen to meet either of the Baltimore Michelles (Simpson or Yeager)?  What if cousin Brian met brother-in-law Mike?  Or how about some of the Band of Stars members meeting my Sinfonian brothers?  I’m sure some interesting stories would be exchanged.  But for now, the two people who have the closest complete read on me are my wife Liz and the friend I consider my brother, Brian Lenz.  And even they don’t know the full story on me.

Recently, Liz asked me a question about why I don’t discuss certain aspects of my high school days in Snellville, GA.  For whatever reason, I opened one of the windows to my past and told a story to her, exposing a chink in the armor.  Now, Liz knows very little about my Snellville life and what she knows, she’s learned from my parents, old neighbors, and a precious few old friends.  I haven’t spoken much about the past (she doesn’t even know much about my academic history in high school).  It isn’t because I want to distance myself from the Snellville days.  I will always go to bat for the friends I grew up with in Snellville, particularly my ‘92 classmates. 

Still, the side I exposed to Liz was a humbling experience of the Snellville days from about 20 years ago.  She understood why I don’t speak of that subject much.  It’s a shame I cannot not explain the story to all, but bringing up the subject again could re-open some old scars and wounds that appear closed.  At the end of the day, it’s one story I may eventually tell.

Until then, hope you enjoy my sports attitude, particularly when it comes to all professional sports and Valparaiso Crusaders College Basketball.