Rose Bowl Petals
I
traveled to Los Angeles to carry the rose petals from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena
back to my home. It was to take back some small portion of our last Super
Bowl dating back to January 1977. So you think it's not important?
Ask if it was important to John Madden.
With my son we traveled to Canton, OH for this years Hall of Fame game. We
had no tickets for the game. We spoke with a few scalpers before my son
declined this opportunity in favor of an early return trip home. We did
get to see Mick Tinglehoff, in an entourage of vehicles as they passed just a
few feet in front of us. Maybe even Fran Tarkenton might have been riding
along with Mick. For a time, we even stood in the line outside to meet the
newest members of the hall of fame class. The point here is that my son
and I were there at the start of this season. We didn't question as to why
we were there and we went as far as we could go.
My wife and I planned a trip to Savanna, GA in 2013. I can't even remember
why it had to be delayed. Although the desire was there ... it time was
not right to make it so. 2014 was awash with my wife's cancer diagnosis
and all of the related treatments and surgeries. My wife's quest was to
finally get me there as she sensed its importance to me. This year we
finally did vacation in both Charleston and Savanna. This became my quest
to heal an old wound that dates back to December 28, 1975. I was told of
Fran Tarkenton's father who lived in Savanna, GA although we never pursued
finding his home. I was told that Savanna was one of the most beautiful
cities in America ... and I had to see it for myself.
My son is now returning to school for the spring semester. I found myself
asking him if he wanted to travel with me to San Francisco in the event that
they make it back to the scene of this years Monday night debacle on the worlds
greatest stage. My son is an NCAA athlete and he has meets
scheduled. I received a resounding response of NO from him. "I
can't be there". All I could say is to let me know if he changed his
mind or better said, if he finds himself driven to it.
Is it folly to think that this franchise just might be represented at Super Bowl
"L"? Having righted all prior wrongs along the way. What
is certain is what lies in my minds eye. to imagine an exodus of biblical
proportions to the city by the bay. There are way too many in my
generation that remember some unforeseen bond that links us all. Some of
us are now gone. The poor souls that didn't get the chance to make it to
this new potential finish line. We carry the standard as we too will soon
be among them as all time is short ... and fleeting.
No one knows why this team either wins or loses. Each week there is
someone different that pokes his eyes above the water line. Last week it
was old number 19 ... coming, once again ... from no where.
In years past we were so heavily favored in many of those prior contests ...
only to have the scales tipped into oblivion. Back then ... we were so
dominant. Now we are on the other side of this spectrum. We've
become like that scrappy little pit bull ... the reflection of a guy named
Zimmer. It's become easy to forget that he lost his dad too this year
until we all put this years journey into perspective. It not like we just
lived it ... we were driven like the winds of winter snow ... unparalleled.
When they say this squad is built for the future and the duration ... the red
flag becomes hoisted at its highest level. It is a signal to the youth
that it's ok to wait. It is not. So to was this statement applied to
the 85 bears but they never again reached that lofty perch. We can ill
afford to even begin to believe this lie. Football is a team sport made up
of members that are always about to be scattered to the winds. Make the
most of each and every breath that you take.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: January 8, 2016
