February 4, 2018
Since 2010 the days between February 3rd and February 8th are very difficult. February 3rd is my birthday, and the last true conversation I had with my dad before he died on February 8th. That last conversation was the most amazing gift I could ever be given, but losing my dad was truly one of the hardest blows I've ever been dealt. Needless to say, my birthday is a tremendously bittersweet day. The 5 days after I just try to get through as best I can and as painlessly as possible. This year has been very different though. This year has been different because our hometown (American) Football team, my dad's favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles were playing in the Super Bowl on February 4th.
In a house full of women who are more interested in movies, music and musical theatre, the lone man who wants to just sit on a Sunday and watch his favorite team play, what to us was the longest game ever (except golf, of course), generally gets relegated to the not so great TV in his bedroom. If it was an important game, though, us ladies would give up our claim to the "good TV" and let my dad watch it there. He loved watching the Eagles play. He loved to watch them play even when they were losing big. Like every good Philadelphian, they were his team and he bled green.
I am not going to pretend to be a big sports fan. Sure, I watch the Olympics and cheer for Team USA, especially local athletes. Who doesn't? Football has always been a big ridiculous mystery to us. However, his love for this team ran so deep that my dad took the time and had the patience to teach us about it. He wanted to share his love for the Eagles with me, my mom and my sister, even if we were resistant at first.
Today, February 8th, is the 8th anniversary of my dad's death. However, today is also the day of the Philadelphia Eagles Championship Parade because, on February 4, 2018, my dad's beloved Eagles won Super Bowl LII! It is a bittersweet day. I am sad because all of the memories of that day 8 years ago, when I lost an enormous piece of my heart, are flooding back. I am elated because our Eagles are Super Bowl champions. I know my dad is smiling down on us and his team today, but I wish he was here watching it with us.
To all of the Philadelphia Eagles players, thank you for bringing the Lombardi trophy home where it belongs. Even though my dad didn't live to see it, he never stopped believing this day would come. From the bottom of my heart, gentlemen, thank you!
In a house full of women who are more interested in movies, music and musical theatre, the lone man who wants to just sit on a Sunday and watch his favorite team play, what to us was the longest game ever (except golf, of course), generally gets relegated to the not so great TV in his bedroom. If it was an important game, though, us ladies would give up our claim to the "good TV" and let my dad watch it there. He loved watching the Eagles play. He loved to watch them play even when they were losing big. Like every good Philadelphian, they were his team and he bled green.
I am not going to pretend to be a big sports fan. Sure, I watch the Olympics and cheer for Team USA, especially local athletes. Who doesn't? Football has always been a big ridiculous mystery to us. However, his love for this team ran so deep that my dad took the time and had the patience to teach us about it. He wanted to share his love for the Eagles with me, my mom and my sister, even if we were resistant at first.
Today, February 8th, is the 8th anniversary of my dad's death. However, today is also the day of the Philadelphia Eagles Championship Parade because, on February 4, 2018, my dad's beloved Eagles won Super Bowl LII! It is a bittersweet day. I am sad because all of the memories of that day 8 years ago, when I lost an enormous piece of my heart, are flooding back. I am elated because our Eagles are Super Bowl champions. I know my dad is smiling down on us and his team today, but I wish he was here watching it with us.
To all of the Philadelphia Eagles players, thank you for bringing the Lombardi trophy home where it belongs. Even though my dad didn't live to see it, he never stopped believing this day would come. From the bottom of my heart, gentlemen, thank you!
Beautiful remembrance. He truly loved you for sure.
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