Every now and then I opine on the secret of life. I've got two but I only share one publicly. Live in the moment.
In 1986, my grandmother died after a relatively peaceful final illness. It was also one of the Mets' best seasons ever. As I spoke with my father and uncle almost daily, we'd start with the daily status and then we'd move to the Mets and how great they were. We'd watch the game in separate parts of the country and lose ourselves in victory despite the grieving process.
In the 1986 series against the Red Sox, we were sure we'd win. My grandmother had died and we were getting over it. All that was left was the good stuff.
Then there was that game and all was lost, last inning, two outs, down by — what? — three runs? You see, I can't remember the details. Here's what I remember.
I was in a bar in West Hollywood, with friends who were there to party, and it looked like the game was over. I couldn't believe it. My friend wanted to grab a pool table early. I moved off along and leaned against a pillar. Then Mookie Wilson hit the ball and it dribbled between Billy Buckner's sore ankles. The game wasn't over and the Mets went on to win the series.
That moment is as real today, 20 years later, as it was then. I can tell you what Buckner's shoes looked like. I can tell you what my shoulder felt like against the pillar.
I can tell you the feeling in my entire body when hope ignited again. For years afterward, when life was grim and hope seemed lost, I'd close my eyes and remember that feeling. The moment when it turned from bad to good.
Today's Steelers game was like that. My husband is a lifelong Steelers fan and I'd long since joined him in the Steelers camp.
There was the 14 point lead, the missed pass interference call, the almost safety, the Troy Polamalu interception that was called incomplete (in a bonehead ref moment that calls for revisiting instant replay and ref competence altogether but I digress).
.jpg?t=20120527181101)
Article comments
1 - Bennett
GREAT POST! I have similar memories from way back...
Your post made me remember being on a fishing trip in NorCal with a buddy. We stopped for dinner in a bar/diner near Mt. Shasta and the Redskins 49er game was on.
The Niners were down 28-0, and just as our plates were delivered, the Niners started scoring. The game went from "what?" to "Touchdown!" and we watched as Joe Montana led his team to a stunning come-from-behind victory.
It was the best meatloaf I've ever tasted!
I'll never forget it.
2 - M.D. Sandwasher
Justene,
Excellent post!!! Congrats. on your boys moving one step closer to the Super Bowl. Please give your husband my wishes too.
Who woulda thunk it? It seems like the Steelers were 7-5 with grim playoff hopes yesterday.
Living in Dayton, I've had the opportunity to follow Big Ben throughout his college career. I prayed the Browns would draft him with their 7th pick. I thought he would be the best quarterback out of the Big 3 (Manning/Rivers/Big Ben). But, we didn't do too bad. The Browns traded a 2nd round pick to move up a spot to pick the self-proclaimed tight end of the future, Mr. Kellen Winslow Jr. (K2 from the U.). Both NFL games he's played in have been stellar.
I'll stop whining now. Good luck next week.
3 - Aaman
Great post! Scotch works in easing the creative heartstrings:)
4 - RJ Elliott
I'd make a crack about Indy's entire O-line being on suicide watch, but somehow that doesn't seem right... :-/
5 - David Mazzotta
What a game. Steelers robbed of a game wiinning intercetpion. Then, in Karmic retirbution, the Colts miss the tying FG.
Harper would have scored on Bettis fumble had he not been stabbed in the knee by his wife then night before.
What a game; what a story.
6 - RedTard
That interception call was disgusting. Especially following up the missed encroachment/motion debacle.
I agree with the Steelers linebacker, it seems the officials were reluctant to make a call against the Colts.
7 - Mark Saleski
i just love this vanderjagt quote:
"From the Polamalu interception reversal to Jerome's fumble, everything seemed to be lined up in our favor. I guess the Lord forgot about the football team."
uh...sure.
8 - Fred
The reason the calls were in the Colts favor is because they were favored and the Refs are guilty of trying to help the colts win. Its not about sports its about money. Can you imagine how many people lost tons of money? I am disgusted with the NFL and this game was conclusive evidence of game fixing. If you think otherwise yore probably very blind and in denial. Football is a joke to me after that game.
The referees should be fired, and they should hold a conference on the ridiculous bad calls one after another in favor of one team clearly.
9 - The Theory
Good post. What a great summary of why people are sports fans.
10 - Justene
I still can't figure out where Ben came from. He handed off the ball inside the Steeler 5. He tackled Harper at the Steeler 42 or so and he came at him running TOWARDS the Steeler goal line. He came from Indy territory. He was at least 50 yards in the opposite direction from the handoff. It's like Santa making it around the world in one night.