🏅 Memory Story: “Two Inches to State”
It was the spring of 1976, my senior year of high school. I was a javelin thrower, and our district track meet was the last big hurdle before the state finals at LSU. The rules were simple: the top two finishers moved on, everyone else went home.
The conditions that day weren’t ideal. The wind tossed the javelin around like a feather, and every throw felt like a gamble. Competitors were strong — and nerves were stronger.
When it was all over, I managed to secure second place. But not by a wide margin. My final throw beat the third-place competitor by only two inches.
I’ll never forget the look on his face — part disbelief, part heartbreak — knowing that just two inches stood between him and his dream of going to state. For me, it was relief and joy mixed with gratitude. That slim margin carried me to Baton Rouge the next week, and it became one of those life moments I still carry with me: the reminder that small differences can change everything.
🙏 Faith Note
“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much…” — Luke 16:10
Sometimes God teaches us through inches, not miles. Life’s turning points don’t always come with a grand gesture — sometimes it’s two inches on a measuring tape, a split-second decision, or a single word spoken in the right moment. Faithfulness in the small things can carry us into the bigger places He has prepared.
😊 Smile Corner
Did you know…
The javelin throw is one of the oldest Olympic events, dating back to ancient Greece.
In the 1970s, javelins were still made of metal — modern versions are often composite materials to reduce “sailing” in the wind.
LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium was also once home to some of the top sprinters in the nation.
Track Joke of the Week:
Why did the discus thrower open a bakery?
Because he was good at tossing things around.
✉ Closing Note from the Editor
This pilot issue reminds us that sometimes the smallest margin makes the biggest memory. Whether in sports, family, or faith, God uses the details to shape our story.
👉 What about you? Have you ever had a moment where just “two inches” — or a tiny difference — changed your life? Reply to this email. Your story might be featured in a future issue.
📬 Support This Work
If this story brought you a smile, forward it to a friend. Have you had a similar experience. We'd love to hear your story.