Perspective

Submitted by mooseman on
    Soon after I moved into this North Carolina neighborhood, I discovered that my next door neighbor was a Buckeye. A true believer. About my age, he had played the big drum in the band in the early 80's--the one with the circular, scarlet abomination on it. He was actually a really great guy. We had fun ribbing each other and although his boys were a little younger than mine, we each had fun "decorating" the other's mailbox a certain Saturday in November.

    After the big game in 2007, his personality changed. He had a seizure. He was soon diagnosed with a brain tumor. He fought it valiantly to include high risk, low reward surgery, but died just a few months later at the age of 43. He left a wife and four boys under the age of 13. He was a good man, a good father and a good friend. I should have been a better friend to him but life is busy and you never expect a timetable for such things.

    The neighborhood did what it could to pitch in. I would mow his lawn frequently until the boys took over. Brian was always working on some project in the yard. Seeing these uncompleted jobs really hit home with me, truly representing a life cut short, incomplete. I digress. I guess that gradually life returned to some normality for his family. They seem to be doing pretty well, all things considered. His wife said that he will be honored in some way at the OSU/Navy game. Sam/Pogue, if you are there, lift a glass or doff your cap for my friend and neighbor. I will be fortunate enough to be at the Big House with my two sons.

    I am more excited than I have been in a few years for the upcoming season. I hope to see Michigan return to winning ways. I'd love nothing more than to put it to those bastards from Ohio. But when I roll into the neighborhood with an "M" plate on the front of my truck, I am greeted by blond boys making goofy OH-IO hand gestures. I have to smile. It lends some perspective. Three and nine seasons, "being owned" by Tressel, even Rosenberg's "shocking" revelations don't seem to matter much. I just plan to enjoy the ride. Here's to a great, successful, safe and healthy football season to all--even in Ohio.

Go Blue!

Comments

Plegerize

August 30th, 2009 at 11:09 AM ^

You know for as much crap as we give OSU fans, and as much as they reciprocate that crap, sometimes it gets lost somewhere that we're both good people (For the majority; not so much the minority).

Mikemac09

August 30th, 2009 at 1:03 PM ^

Loved your post. It reminded me that in my personal experience of 67 years, the most faithful Buckeye and UM fans who have passed on much too early, seemed to go only during the 12 months after their team had won The Game. One example for UM was a tax attorney I worked with - he died apparently content not long after we won the NC in 1997. Before that it had happened to a neighbor down the street in Toledo, who bled scarlet and gray when his team beat us that year. He told me the most fun was being there when your team won The Game on the road, so you could observe up-close the anguish of the opposing fans. I've had that pleasure too. Now your neighbor dies happy in at least one important way, adding to my theory.

The consolation for me is that everytime we lose to OSU, I can count on one more year on the planet. I can savor that extra beer and know it'll be okay. It's just that some year I'd like our boys to let me take my chances and tempt fate.

pdxblue

August 30th, 2009 at 4:17 PM ^

This serves as a great reminder. I live in the Pacific Northwest. Some of my best friends are Ohio State fans. Oh, I hate the Buckeyes with a passion and am tired of St. Tressel, but it is clear that we share something. I live in an area where there is passion for "The Civil War" (Oregon/Oregon State) but they really nothing compared to Michigan - Ohio State. My good friend's dad (and former OSU baseball player) recently had bypass surgery and it was helpful to him when his "Wolverine" friend was there providing support.

Thanks again.