Just Another Fish Story

By: Joseph Anderson

I carved up a bunch of fish last Saturday and it was magical. It was my first time – and yet the moment I grasped the knife, I knew I had found my calling. I was born to filet! My hands flew as I whipped the blade down, up, through, and across, lightly skimming the bones and leaving no meat behind. From across the table, Klint ooohed and aaahed as the pace quickened and fish practically flew along the cutting board.

At one point, I even used a complex crisscross maneuver (rarely seen) which requires you to squint your eyes and whistle Dixie. Everyone was talking about it! There were tears, hugs, and expressions of gratitude for having witnessed such a display. I even heard the name ‘Bobby Fillet’ being thrown around.

……at least, that’s how I pictured it going when I signed up to filet fish at the Nussbaum Fishing Derby.

What happened was much, much different.

Bill Wettstein gave me a quick demo, said “good luck schmuck,” and walked away, leaving me to face a horde of wriggling beasts and a crowd of hungry fisher-people. Let’s just say the struggle was evident, and I won’t be winning an award anytime soon.

Expectations vs. Reality

Obviously, I’ve embellished this story a bit. My expectations weren’t so dramatic; I knew I would be slow, and Bill didn’t say “good luck schmuck” (although he was probably thinking it). But the job was more difficult than I realized, and I felt like I was leaving good meat on the bones. Bill made it look easy, but it wasn’t. Thankfully, no one was inspecting my work!

That’s how life is though, right? We often anticipate something going smoothly, only to be disappointed. I’ve heard it said, “we make plans and God laughs.” It’s natural to picture things going well because we want things to go well; we want to feel good about what lies ahead. So, how do we respond when things don’t go as planned?

My example is a bit silly, but many people face disappointment in much more serious situations. It’s so inspiring to watch those same people persevere and press on. Despite suffering loss, setbacks, or even tragedy, they keep smiling and showing concern for others. It’s encouraging and humbling. It certainly helps me keep things in perspective. If you’re one of those people, I hope these words can encourage you just a little.

All that to say – if I get the opportunity to fillet at the derby next year, the least I can do is put on a brave face and give it another shot! Maybe Bill will give me an electric knife this time.