I was delivered by the Green Bay Packer team physician two days after a game. In those days, hygiene wasn't what it is today. I could very well have Packer blood in me. I was born too late to remember the Packer "glory years" of the 60s. For most of my youth, we considered a Packer loss by less than 10 points to be a victory. Even with that factored in, the Packers still lost most of the time. My family had (and still does have) season tickets. I think I went to 7 games before seeing a victory.
As the years went by, I always hoped I would live long enough to experience the Packers winning a Super Bowl. That really was one of my top hopes for life. Along came the mid-90s. The Packers became one of the dominant teams in the NFL. They were on a roll. My father and I went to many playoff games. When it looked likely that the Packers would go to the Super Bowl, the Packer organization held a lottery. The few winners would have the opportunity to buy tickets to the Super Bowl at face value. My father's name was picked! I could not believe my good fortune - I was going to the Super Bowl and might actually see the Packers return to glory!
Fast forward to the Monday after the Super Bowl. That Packers won. Time spent in New Orleans was amazing. I saw more people I knew from my hometown there than I would have walking around my hometown. I had seen the Packers win the Super Bowl! My hope was realized.
However, I was given much more than what I hoped for. Yes, I saw the Packers win the Super Bowl. What was more significant was that I saw the Packers win the Super Bowl with my father. At that time, he was close to 70 and retired. On the tour we took to the Super Bowl, we had to stay at a hotel that was 90 minutes away from New Orleans. At my father's suggestion, we took the first shuttle bus into New Orleans on each of the three days we were there and the last bus back. Yes, we left at 8:00 am every morning and returned at 3:00 am. We experienced all that New Olreans has to offer. Several times during the trip, my father said something like "Don't tell your mother about this."
I saw the Packers win the Super Bowl. More importantly, I experienced that event with my father.
I was thinking about this earlier today while attending the funeral for Sylvia, a 90 year old woman that I have gotten to know over the past year during weekly visits to bring Communion to people at a nearby assisted living and rehabilitation center. Although suffering from dementia, Syvia became crystal clear whenever I brought her Communion. Invariably, she would say, "Thank you so much. You don't know what this means to me". Sylvia experinced many things in her life. She was very well-educated at a time when many people felt that educating women beyond high school (except for teachers and nurses) was a waste of time. Sylvia earned a Ph.D. in English Literature and Communications. She taught for many years as a full professor at a major university. Given all that she achieved, one might think her obituary and eulogy would be full with a list of professional milestones. However, at Sulvia's request, these were the words that were shared. "I have enjoyed many highlights during my life. My family, friends and students comprise those highlights. Thank you all for sharing this journey with me."
It is not what you know, but whom you know.
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