As a cheerleader for Georgia Tech (1970 – ’73) and team captain (1972 – ‘73), I took my uniform to the Tech Shop on Spring Street for dry cleaning each Monday after a game. Interestingly, next door was Ben Hyman’s Jewelry and Sporting Goods. What? Who combines a jewelry store with sporting goods…? Apparently, Mr. Ben Hyman did.
As a senior counselor for Georgia Tech’s Housing Department, I purchased all the athletic equipment for our dormitory’s sports teams from that store. It never occurred to me at the time, however, to check out the small, glassed-in space in the rear corner that served as Ben Hyman’s jewelry business.
But that changed when I fell in love during my graduate studies at Tech (1973 – ’74). Guess where I bought my engagement ring? Yeah, at Ben Hyman’s Jewelry and Sporting Goods store on Spring Street next to the old Tech Shop drycleaners.
Smitten with love, I walked from campus to Ben Hyman’s store one Saturday morning to search for a ring. In his display case was one diamond engagement ring and one matching set of wedding bands. Perfect! They were original, artistic, and obviously “one of a kind.” The diamond engagement ring was $320, which was four month’s salary for me as a teaching assistant in the School of Biology. The incredibly beautiful gold wedding bands were $50 each. I put down a deposit of $40 (all the cash that I had) to purchase them and began to envision how I would propose to my future spouse.
The months passed. I was busy earning a Masters’ degree at Tech and my lovely heartthrob was working full time for Southern Bell. At last, the day arrived when I had my final payment in hand. I walked to Ben Hyman’s Jewelry and Sporting Goods store only to find that it had gone out of business and closed! With a rising sense of panic and tears in my eyes, I desperately pounded on the store’s glass front door. Amazingly, old Ben Hyman appeared out of nowhere and unlocked the door. He said, “I’ve been waiting for you and I have your rings…”
I can’t even begin to explain how that all occurred, but I’m grateful it did. How was it possible that an old jeweler who sold sporting goods on Spring Street next to a dry cleaner could have provided the exact engagement ring and wedding bands I needed at precisely the right time in my life? I really don’t know, but I think, sometimes, a Higher Power enters our lives and just makes what should happen, happen.
Embrace your Higher Power, whatever that may be, and move forward with your life.
“I spend a few minutes in meditation and prayer each morning.
I find that this really helps me to start the day with a good frame of reference.
As part of my prayers, I thank whoever is helping me –
I’m sure somebody or something is – I express gratitude for all my blessings.”
~Jim Henson, from “It’s Not Easy Being Green
