I completed my student teaching internship in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin – a small town about thirty minutes north of Green Bay. It’s not a bad place; it’s just not for me. At the time, my cable provider didn’t carry FSN and I didn’t get adequate radio reception in my apartment, so I would drive to Green Bay to watch Bucks games at Curly’s Pub at Lambeau Field. Aside from being so close to Titletown (I mean, really…I could drive to Lambeau for dinner!), the only other upside for this young city slicker was the nice neighbors. One in particular once said something I hope I’ll never forget. She said no matter how difficult it is, she always tries to remember to stay in the moment and enjoy it for what it is.
I know she wasn’t the first to say it, but when I need a reminder, I hear these words of wisdom in her voice. And now, mere hours after the Packers became Super Bowl champions, I’m reminded of this lesson yet again.
I’m not sure time had even run out on the game clock before somebody at the Super Bowl party I attended brought up the name of a certain former Green Bay quarterback. Out of respect for the Super Bowl champs, and in order to save my cousin from certain blogosphere embarrassment, both the former NFL quarterback as well as the armchair quarterback shall remain nameless. I was beyond appalled to hear such nonsense discussed at a time like this – and I let my feelings be known. So after a needless debate, we continued to celebrate the well-deserved victory.
An hour or so later, I was headed home and (after a quick, yet unsuccessful search for any sound of “Green and Yellow” or “Like a Cheesehead”) I tuned into sports radio. And what I heard seemed almost as ridiculous as some of the postgame party chatter I related earlier. This time it was all about the future. “Will this be a Green Bay dynasty?” “Who will return to the team next year?” I couldn’t believe it.
I called my dad when I got home and we relived the game for about an hour. Since, I’ve been watching ESPN postgame coverage. The last ten minutes or so were comprised of a beautiful recap of tonight’s gridiron battle. I just can’t get enough. It’s now 1:36 a.m. and I may be ready to call it a night – only because I have to be at work in six hours.
I was bound and determined to get the most out of this moment as a fan. It’s not about teams or players of the past, and it’s not about teams or players of the future; it’s about this team and this time.
It reminds me of that lesson I learned from my friend up in Oconto Falls. It may not be easy to refrain from talk of Packers past and/or future, but it’s important to stay in the moment. We have to enjoy this for what it is – a great end to a great season.
Congratulations, 2010 Packers! Thanks for the ride!
