It was the month of November in the year two thousand and seven, the setting, Green Bay, Wisconsin. 23 degrees outside at a tailgate parking lot, it is eight o’clock in the morning and I am drinking heavily! Drinking first thing in the morning is a whole other kind of drinking, that’s like “I have nothing else to live for anymore” kind of drinking!
Pigskin fans dressed in attire that resembled circus clowns on acid surrounded us. Displays of cheese topped the heads of these occult fans, loyal to their colors like gangs for normally law abiding citizens, these Hydes would kill another human being or at the very least smack another for wearing the opposition’s colors on their turf.
It’s 8:05am and I’m on my second drink. Things are getting mellow. A full buffet of burgers, dogs, bratwurst and other assortments of meats that would make a vegan piss their pants, lay before us. We met this old man at the tailgate party who had been going to the Packer games since the 50’s in the days of Billy Grimes and Bart Starr. This man loved football, but even more so, the Green Bay Packers. But there was something even more than the green and gold this man truly loved, that was life itself. This man told us stories from his past that would rival the tales of Benjamin Button. In retrospect, after the victory of the Packers and after I came out of my drunken haze, the odyssey of this old man made me reflect on my own life and everything I am thankful for.
I am thankful for people who enjoy sports for what it is, a game.
I am thankful for the crossing guard in school zones who safely leads the way for the future of our country.
I am thankful for the selfless driver who makes the decision not to text and unknowingly saves a family who is driving the opposite direction from disaster.
I am thankful for designated drivers.
I hope you have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving this year with many more to come. Keep sending in your e-mails and comments and join me again next week. Until then…
Take care and be safe-