Proof That Football Unites People

I'll just start with this. I am NOT a fan of the game of football. The constant noise that comes out of the tv screen blocks any chance of a creative thought making its way through the firing neurons as the background clamor and pandemonium ensues circling like vultures in my brain. Most of those who know me, know my brain is wired for constant choice making. Constant decisions to be made about this or that. Some real. Some not so much so. Its why I refuse to decide which pizza to have on any given Friday or Saturday night, and why I refuse to speak by telephone to AT&T. Trivial non-essentials, in my book. It simply puts me in a state of nervous confusion. And, who decided it would be a good thing to toss, or kick, a pigskin ball around just so opposing sides could clobber each other. "Sorry I broke your neck (or back) with that last tackle, bro!" "Sorry it was my action that crippled you for life, dude." And while we're at it, why is it so exciting to see someone get hurt so badly? I suppose that really isn't the way it is, but still... 

Anyway...

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE this time of year. Yes! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! It is the hope I cling to as summers heat ravages everything in my line of vision...even myself. Not to say there aren't days of summer that I do enjoy...just not nearly as much as when Fall kisses my face with temps cold enough to cause a blush on the cheeks. Anyway....

My crisp morning walks are becoming friendly morning walks all of a sudden. Most people out as early as I am are focused on getting back to their starting point, I suppose. Rarely do I get a response to my "Good Morning" until the weather cools down and puts a bit of a spring in walkers walking. And even then...just every now and again. But for the last couple of weeks I have noticed a distinct difference!

It wasn't until this morning that the room where my thoughts are processed (aka/my brain) convinced me the smiles and "Good Morning" coming back to me, was because it is FOOTBALL SEASON/!!! Oh my gosh! Duh!!! And..I WAS WEARING AN OKLAHOMA SWEATSHIRT!!! It's my morning outer wear for temps lower than 45º. Huge letters spread across the front of my clothing was causing people to befriend me! And here I was thinking they were finally noticing The Girl Who Walks and had decided she was a pretty good egg. Always friendly. Always wishing them a great day. Why not reciprocate the beautiful smile she always offered. Except for the occasional days where she seemed pre-occupied. Days when she seemed distant...

So...there is this delightful elderly gentleman (about my age, I would guess), that I have seen on my morning walkabouts. He was quickly becoming a constant in my morning sightings. He wasn't going to be the first to speak, however, so I did my regular "Good Morning" with a half wave until the day came he finally spoke to me. He was wearing a Tar Heels jersey that particular day. The words didn't come until we met. Me heading Northeast, while he headed Southwest. A cautious half-smile spread across his face as he pointed to my shirt. "Oklahoma," he said, as he pointed to my shirt, and just as quickly pointed back to his. No words. Just letting me know he was a Tar Heel fan. Okay. Great! "Have a great one," said I, as we continued our separate journeys. 

Each consecutive day, our friendship began to grow. I think it must have blossomed this morning. He wanted to visit! "Hey! Who do you think will win this weekend," he asked. "Ummmm...I don't have a clue," I said. "I'm not the sports fan in the family. My husband is and he buys me these shirts and makes me wear them. I actually don't know anything about football. Who do you think will win?" I continued. I was so happy someone was talking to me! After the initial look of complete disbelief (I may have just lost his friendship), he said, "Do you know who Oklahoma is playing this weekend?" "No." He opened his jacket and showed me a plain orange tee-shirt. No letters, no words. Just an orange shirt. It meant absolutely nothing to me, yet the neurons in my brain struggled to navigate the matrix of all it had stored from years of data processing. Nothing...

He seemed like a well spoken man. Someone who maybe had a lot of degrees hanging on a wall(s) back at his house. Very nice man. I liked him. Still nothing on the orange teeshirt, however. He picked up on it. "Tennessee!" he said. Like I should know. 🤷‍♀️ Noise, so much noise. That's all I could drum up. Still, I've made a friend. I think...

We talked for a bit as he shared about the multiple degrees he had from Tennessee State (I KNEW IT) or maybe it was Vanderbilt, got lots of love from his dog, and then we went our separate ways. Maybe I should watch the game this weekend. I think I'm busy, though. Maybe another time. My new friend thinks Tennessee is going to win, simply because "Oklahoma seems to be having some issues" according to him. I'll have to check with someone I trust to know (possibly DW) if they truly are having issues. It's a "need to know" issue. Or possibly just a FOMO. 😉 Come on, Oklahoma!!! Shake it off! Show us what you are made of!!! You're OKLAHOMA for goodness sake! Go Go NEO. Oh wait...that's the college in Miami. Never mind...

Please take note of my first effort at knowing what football is about. You did see each contenders logo in this post, right? 😂 You have my new friend to thank for it. I'm probably embarrassing my husband, right about now.

Connecting to, uniting with football fans (to an extent...let's not get crazy here), here you will always find me...in Mary's World.