In a day in age where there’s been a bunch of doom and gloom going around, let me tell you about one of the most heartwarming stories I’ve heard in a long time.
According to the New York Post, John Hinkle Jr., a two-time NCAA bowling champ, lost his father John Sr. back in 2016.
In remembrance of him, Jr. decided to get a custom made bowling ball with his dad’s ashes inside the thumb hole of the ball (he uses the two hand technique so the thumb hole is never used), as a tribute to the man who inspired him to get into the sport.
The 39-year-old Western Illinois University bowling champ went to the Landmark Lanes bowling alley on April 12th alongside his brother Joe, and had himself the game of a lifetime.
Jr. said in an interview with WMBD-TV that he told his brother:
“I’m shooting a 300 with this ball.”
And sure enough, that’s exactly what he did. I mean how cool is that? Bowling a perfect game with your dad’s ashes inside the ball.
John recalled the occurrence very well:
“I had tears in my eyes in the 11th and 12th frames. I couldn’t tell you where the last ball went, I had so many tears I was just throwing it.”
Jr. stated that he’s bowled many 300 games before in his life, but this one was by far the most memorable, as his father never bowled a 300 before his passing:
“It’s special. Dad shot 298, 299– never had a 300. I had goosebumps, chills. He was there.”
It’s hard to find a better feel good story than this folks. You love to see it.
