Marbles became a part of my life when I was only seven years of age. That summer while working on the farm, I found my grandpa's marbles in the shed. They were like little jewels sparkling in the sun, dancing in front of my eyes. I knew I wasn't supposed to be into grandpa's things, but these were marbles! I took my newly acquired fortune and found a nice quiet corner in the back shed and proceeded to play. After playing with and examining each marble, I knew I wanted to play again. In my infinite wisdom, which only a seven year old could appreciate, I buried them so that I could play with them again.
A few years ago my brother chose to open a book store in the town we grew up in. Being a self-employed painting and drywall contractor, my services were offered to renovate the store. While working on the store, my brother, knowing my obsession for marbles, gave me some marble books. It was amazing to find that other people actually collected and even had names for all these marbles! It didn't take long to discover that not only were marbles indeed alive, but that a National Marbles Tournament was held each year in Wildwood, N.J..We had to go, I wanted to play!
Garage sales are my wifes hobby, we spend one day a week canvassing the countryside for knick-knacks and what-nots. My main function is chauffeur. I spend my time talking to the people running the sale and inevitably the conversation turns to marbles. The looks and expressions I get from the people I speak with are varied but the one true constant is that sparkle in the eyes of the people that used to play. That extra kick in the step or that smile from a memory almost forgotten is priceless! I've got to go to the Nationals!
The following year I convinced my wife that we should go to Wildwood for summer vacation. In the meantime, I discovered one of the biggest marble shows in the country was held each year in Amana, Iowa. Only one and a half hours away and just weeks before the Nationals! We could only do one, so we chose the Nationals.
At the Nationals we had the opportunity to meet Gene Mason, the director of the tournament. Almost immediately I found out I was too old to play. My wife tried to reassure Gene that I really wasn't too old. Alas, I took my marbles and went home, none the worse for the wear, at least we made it to the Nationals!
After arriving home I contacted Gene Mason to express my desire to sponsor winners of a local marble tournament to the Nationals. All of my energy has been directed to achieve this. The benefits of a tournament could be immeasureable. To provide a child with fond memories or a sparkle in their eye in itself is enough, but it also serves to bridge the generations with a simple game. To bring a community together to share the wealth of knowledge of the game. To pass the sacred jewels down from one generation to the next with the stories of conquest! This, my friends, is heritage.
By the way, I now live at my grandparents farm. One day while leveling the dirt floor in the back shed I re-discovered the jewels that I buried forty some years ago.

Dreams do come true!