Sunday, November 19, 2006

It Wasn't the Same....

I have been trying to write this post for about 24 hours now. Yes, it has been a long time since the last time I posted and it should probably be easy. But for some reason it just is not. Yesterday I watched one of the best football games that I might have ever seen. It is one that I am going to remember for a long time.

I was brought up as a Buckeye fan, or as my Dad would say "I was Buckeye born and Buckeye bred and when I die I will be Buckeye dead".

I remember growing up and always getting pumped up by my Dad for the Ohio State - Michigan game. It was always exciting. He would hang banners in the house and special game signs all over the house. One of which I did not quite understand when I was little but I certainly get it today. :-) My Dad was always certain to wear his best Ohio State shirts and he ALWAYS had hats close by, usually wearing a different one each quarter. I am also sure my Brother and I always had a football close by ready to throw it every chance we got.

This week getting ready for the game was no different in my mind. I was excited and pumped up for it. This year it was not only Ohio State - Michigan but it was #1-vs-#2. That makes it even more exciting. Friday I wore an Ohio State shirt to work and certainly talked about my excitement with all my buddies at work. Even a few of my coworkers that live in Michigan.

Saturday came and I got out of bed and put on a different Ohio State shirt along with my OSU hat. This was going to be a day for me to remember all those great games I have watched through the years none of them could be as big as this one.

I made myself a plate of smoked oysters, kipper snacks, saltine crackers and that mustard/mayo & horse radish sauce that my Dad used to make for us on the big game day. Everything is set I am ready and it is now gametime...

It was all just as I remember it, the snacks, the game and the excitement. The only thing missing were the signs hanging around my house and three other Ohio State hats. Oh and of course Dad and my Brother are at home in Florida and I am here in Texas.

As exciting as it all was it was just not the same watching the game by myself. My Dad is the reason I am "Buckeye Bred", he is the one that instilled in me the love for the scarlet and grey. He made me get excited for the game and all that goes into it. It just is not the same sitting here watching it by myself. Those days watching the big game with my Dad is such a great memory. Even today, I love going to Dad's house and watching the big games with him and my brother.

Today I got pictures of game time at Dad's. It was obvious that for the most part it was just as I remembered. I saw his hats and of course he had his Buckeye shirt on. My nieces looked to be having a good time and based on the outcome of the game I am pretty darn sure my Dad and everyone else had a great time as well.

I did have a great time. I did yell a lot and pretty darn sure Dad would have been pretty proud to see that I truly am "Buckeye Bred". Thanks Dad for giving me that. It is pretty darn exciting to be a Buckeye fan. And I am going to do my darndest to try and be able to watch the championship there with you. That will be exciting.

GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!

6 comments:

Susan said...

Imagine my SHOCK when the word "new" was next to YOUR name on my blogroll this morning!! Great post, Dan. You're right...it was a "different" feel when we watched it together. I had to laugh at your recollection of the "sign". I almost blogged about it this weekend, but thought I'd send my children into cardiac arrest!! I remember wondering too...and I think I remember the year the "light" came on and I really "got it"!

GO BUCKEYES!!! Now, get home for that Championship game...it's where you belong!!

Anonymous said...

You weren't the only one sitting at home watching it by yourself. I got so excited that Sparky thought I had gone crazy.

Love ya,

P.S. It will be exciting to see who the play for the Championship.

Anonymous said...

Now that I've wiped the tears away..and the shock is over of seeing you blogging again...I have to say it was well worth the wait! You were definitely missed on the big game day..but glad to see you still maintained the spirit, even in Texas! I made sure we had the hats out, the OSU flag on the standing pole and even pulled the OSU golf cart out front and draped a red OSU flag on it as well. I'll let Dad tell you about the "sign"! See you for the Championship game...Go Bucks!!
LY "Softie"...C

Anonymous said...

Dad said......
Dan, We've made many memories with just this one game every year. I cherish the time we all enjoyed the game together and will always miss it when one of my "Buckeye Borns" are not with me to watch it. Having all of my "Buckeye Breds" with me during the previous weeks events was far more important than the game and helped me deal with a very emotional time. Our memories will continue and the disappearance of "The Sign" will always remain a mystery. Personally I think CC dumped it when everyone got old enough to figure it out. I LOVE YOU!!!
DAD

Susan said...

So, THAT's what happened to "the sign"!!!!!! I always wondered that. Thanks Dad for "solving" that mystery.

Love you guys.

Sooz

Lynn said...

Great post Dan....although I know you all will be very disappointed to hear that K, M, my mom and I went to the movies instead of watching "The Game." I am a very sad Buckeye;-)

Thought I better let you know too, that you've been tagged! Someone, who shall remain nameless, thought I needed a jumpstart;-)