OT - Tough beginning to 2010

Submitted by cjm on
So my grandfather, "Pops" calls this evening. I have mentioned him a time or two on the board as the one who has worked at the UofM for 65 years. For countless games he has stood at the 50 yard line entrance (just above the tunnel) welcoming people to the Big House and showing them their seats. I expected his call, ready for him to be upset at the Buckeye victory and promising Sparty will lose to Texas Tech. Instead the solid military veteran was at the hospital where his wife and my sweet grandmother unexpectedly passed away. All of a sudden football was irrelevant. Big Ten versus Pac Ten, who cares? The new crush everyone will have on Pryor, so what? Michigan not playing a bowl game for the second year, does it matter? Pops has taught me how to love Michigan football. Shoot, 90% of our conversations revolves around it. Tonight he lost the one thing I think he loved more. That makes for a tough beginning to 2010.
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Togaroga

January 2nd, 2010 at 2:06 AM ^

Thank you for the perspective. We can all get carried away with things less important than the relationships with those we love. Thanks, and I'm sorry for your loss.

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 518

big john lives on 67

January 2nd, 2010 at 2:14 AM ^

Moments like the one you have shared definitely help to put things in perspective in the midst of all of this losing in the big M sports lately. I have tried to remember that friends and family are truly what is most important. My grandmother passed away before the Illinois game last year.

Joined: 02/15/2009

MGoPoints: 3973

cjm

January 2nd, 2010 at 2:46 AM ^

In the midst of the phone calls and conversations about funeral arrangements and such... one of my boys looks at me and says, "does this mean we aren't watching Devon in the UA game tomorrow?" I assured him we will watch and it will be a good distraction but when we call Michigan tomorrow, to talk to some of the family, we won't talk a lot about football. It is perspective but football is also a great way to get distracted. I'm sure when I get off the plane in a couple days, Pops will be there to pick me up and will have something to say about Sparty. He may just blame all this on them.

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 5611

the_big_house 500th

January 2nd, 2010 at 2:43 AM ^

Going on in the world right now than a football game. We all have to realize that things like the NFL, College Football and NHL are just means of entertainment. You think that on the day of the OSU Michigan game in 1945 that people were even thinking about the football game? I would imagine they were thinking about their sons or fathers over in Europe or in the Pacific fighting in the second most devastating war in human history. There are things right now going on in other peoples lives that matter more to them then a game. I know that sporting events are fun and exciting but people need to remember its just entertainment nothing more. We all need to focus on the needs and necessities in our lives more. What the quarterback did to gain 30 yards for his team is irrelevant compared to how much money I'll need to make this month to pay my bills. Or how many yards the halfback gained on huge run compared to what I need to get on my test next week to pass my math final. There are not just some things in life that sports and games just don't have any affect on, nor should they. In the end it's only a game.

Joined: 09/04/2009

MGoPoints: -129

jaster

January 2nd, 2010 at 3:13 AM ^

Well, by the time the UM-OSU game was played in 1945, WWII was over; the Germans and Japanese had both surrendered. However, your point is nonetheless valid. cjm, sorry to hear about your loss. While I still have both my grandmothers, I have lost both my grandfathers in recent years, both sudden, and it was real tough. They both served and were a big reason why I served, so thanks to your grandfather as well. All the best.

Joined: 08/29/2008

MGoPoints: 99

Drill

January 2nd, 2010 at 3:50 AM ^

I wish I had some comforting words that I could share, but alas... I'm sorry for your loss, it's always incredibly tough to lose loved ones.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 724

Blue in Yarmouth

January 2nd, 2010 at 8:38 AM ^

Grandmothers are a wonderful thing. I am sorry for your loss and hope your family can find some means of comfort in the year to come. Indeed, a tough start for the new year. I hope things get much better for you and your family in the near future.

Joined: 02/18/2009

MGoPoints: 6528

Rasmus

January 2nd, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^

because not only do you lose someone close to you, but you see your parents grieve. For me, I think it was one of the first times I realized my father was human -- I was 14 when my dad's father died. You are older, of course. But I can't fully agree with the comment above about college football being just "entertainment." In families it can mean more than that -- its traditions are part of people's lives, part of how they communicate with one another -- you capture the sentiment nicely when you observe that it's likely, when your father comes to pick you up, he "will have something to say about Sparty. He may just blame all this on them." So, yes, whether Michigan won or lost last year is not important. But the traditions -- the students, the community, the university, the stadium -- can't be dismissed quite so easily. It's not just something to watch on TV.

Joined: 07/02/2009

MGoPoints: 2412

MGoJen

January 2nd, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^

I'm sending prayers up for you and your family--I'm so sorry about your grandmother. Honor her memory in any way that comes to you--I think that dedicating the season to her memory is a beautiful idea. 3

Joined: 11/23/2008

MGoPoints: 1833

the_white_tiger

January 2nd, 2010 at 4:11 PM ^

I'm very sorry for your loss, losing a family member is always devastating. This really does put the pointlessness of sports into perspective, because in the grand scheme of things it means very little. My condolences to you and your family.

Joined: 02/07/2009

MGoPoints: 5224

cjm

January 2nd, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^

I appreciate the many condolences and kind words. Seems I'll be heading to AA early next week. I'll be officiating the services and enjoying some time with the family. Being in Arlington, Tx I don't see them as often as I like so that time will be cherished.

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 5611