Pardon me for veering off the Olympic train for a second, but there was something very Olympic-like about the Saints’ victory in Sunday night’s Super Bowl.
I think, on a general level, we all understand that a championship for a team means a celebration for a city. The Yankees win the World Series; the team parades in downtown Manhattan. The Lakers win the NBA Finals; Los Angeles revels in their glory.
But rarely do we truly place a city’s glory on par with a team’s title. What do we care if New Yorkers get to celebrate another championship, or if Pittsburgh natives get to rejoice in a Stanley Cup? For the most part, the unbiased sports-fan nation glorifies the team that wins the crown, not the region it represents.
Sunday was different.
Of the many defining shots of celebration, none could beat the revelry of Bourbon Street, packed to the brim with Saints fans going wild. It’s a celebration usually reserved for later in the month and Mardi Gras (although, if you’ve ever been to New Orleans in late January or early February, you know Mardi Gras is generally a season-long event anyway). This was exceptional, and this fan base definitely deserved it.
There’s been a lot of talk about how the Saints’ success has uplifted the city, and how their Super Bowl win — and the city’s fervor about it — proves how football is “more than just a game”. I’m a bit ambivalent about these sentiments, for a few reasons: first of all, the Saints’ victory doesn’t — by itself — get any homes rebuilt or neighborhoods rejuvenated. Secondly, a football team’s success shouldn’t validate a city’s self-worth. I mean, if the Saints had lost to the Colts, would that have tarnished New Orleans in any way? If they had never made the playoffs, would that somehow have been a pock mark on the city’s post-Katrina resilience?
But most importantly, the Saints’ success in some ways overshadows the determination and grit of the people of New Orleans, who have withstood the damage and held their ground amidst terrifying circumstances. I had the privilege of going down to the Crescent City last year at this time; I spent a week helping to rebuild a home through the very impressive St. Bernard Project. Amidst the many emotions I felt that week, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how the character and soul of the city still breathed so effervescently through it. That comes straight from the people — the small-town restaurant owners still making po’ boys, the street musicians rocking Canal St. at 4 pm on a Sunday, and the ordinary citizens who keep their smile and their heart through the worst of times.
It’s a testament to a city that will not be broken; in that respect, the Saints are almost as much of a reflection of their city as an inspiration to it.
(Although, let’s be clear, the Saints are absolutely an inspiration. The work of the players and coaches in the community has been absolutely stellar over the past few years; Drew Brees alone deserves all the accolades he gets for his off-field work. It’s truly impressive.)
And that’s why, ultimately, I’m so thrilled that New Orleans gets to celebrate this championship. It’s not because the city somehow needs it, or that the people are somehow validated by it. And it’s certainly not because a Super Bowl victory somehow makes the challenge of rebuilding any easier.
It’s because a city that has suffered through the worst of emotions now gets a chance to experience some of the best. And it’s because, in this rarest of moments, the joy of the championship team seems secondary to the joy of the city that gets to cherish it.
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Well, busy has become an understatement for me since school started. I asked my mom to post this for me because I am having a hard time finding the time. School has been great but exhausting as I try to adjust to things. I can say I love it and did not realize how much I missed it. I had to take all of my end of year examines for 10th grade in 2 days to show the school I did keep up when I was homeschooled. I did well on all of them, thank God. Practice was going great until I got a horrible sinus infection I have not been able to go to gym since Monday, that upside down motion is killer. I miss it and am afraid I will be behind in my new skills when I go back on Monday. It is amazing how much being out a week (when it is due to sickness) can effect the performance you were just beginning to master when you left. Work is great, homework is, wow, lots. I am keeping up but by Sunday I am exhausted and want to nothing all day. I am going to my first High School football game tonight, I can’t wait. Thanks for listening. Starting Monday I will be posting the happenings at the gym now that we are all back in full swing and getting ready for the competitive season, except Bekkah, she had her ankle surgery last Thursday and is doing great, everything went awesome and she is on the road back…good luck Bekka. Thanks again, for following us we look forward to bringing you an exciting season here at GASG.
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It has been 5 years since I went to regular school. I have homeschooled through my entire middle school grades and up until this year for high school, so frankly I don’t remember what to expect. But I do know that I am not entering the year as I had planned. I was to be a senior this year, work for the athletic scholarship, go to the senior prom, and well remember what it was like to sit in a classroom, take tests issued by a teacher and reports completed by a predetermined deadline. However, I will be entering school as a Junior. A decission that did not come lightly. You see I had already been speaking with college scouts about my pending graduation and option of scholarships, now I must go back and explain to them that I have chosen to be a Junior in my senior year. After carefully looking over what it would take for me to graduate, as the school did not accept all of my homeschool courses, and the load that I would have to carry I realized my entire senior year would be spent between school, homework and gymnastics (not even time to work) and the gymnastics would be hit hard as I put in the late nights on the quantity of homework I would most likely have. So despite the fact that I will be older then, well pretty much everyone in my class, and the fact that my college qualification will be delayed, I feel this is the right choice for me. I will still have a heavy load this year but not nearly as heavy as it would be as a Senior and it will give me more time to enhance my gymnastics skills which will give me more opportunities. So off to school in a real classroom with real teachers and classmates I go on Monday morning…wish me luck, I’ll let you know how it goes. Until then, flip open a book, get into the pages and dream as the story unfolds….
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School starts in about 2 weeks, I don’t know about you but summer has just gone by so fast for me. Between work, training, work (yes I meant to say work twice) and life, I feel like May was only yesterday. Well I am ending my crazy summer on a fun note, we are headed to TN, all 30 of us plus our coaches for our option team retreat. I can’t wait, it has been a fast yet long summer. With my brother’s accident things got a little crazy, he still has a long road to go for recovery but each day is a little better, gym has been tough as I missed several days of practice for work, my brother and illness, not good for working on new skills, but after the retreat it is back to getting more serious and no down time (except Sunday that is, or maybe not I still have to work). Well I will post pics and let you know about the fun we had in TN. Then I will let you know about a huge decission I made that effects every aspect of my life and the direction I am headed…until then stay well, be happy and enjoy each minute of each day…very profound don’t you think….later gator…
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With summer coming to a close, just a few weeks until school starts, I look back to see what has gone by. I breathe, I look and I am amazed at how fast time goes by. I feel like summer had just begun and now I am looking at the start of school, the beginning of the gymnastics competitive season (compulsory only) and the realization of time limits that are approaching. My floor routine, my beam routine, my new skills on bars and vault….it has been a whirlwind of a summer, mixed with some personal heartaches and the bumps in life that occur throughout time. I hope you all had a great summer and wish you all luck in the up coming school year. I look forward to sharing my journey through my first year back in a classroom, my quest for a college scholarship, my emotions and excitement of competition and the overall craziness of life. Until next time, have a great end of summer, enjoy the freedom of each day, and create great memories throughout each moment of life.
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Sorry I have been away so long, between working 2 jobs, my brother’s accident and gym practice it has been a little crazy. My brother is doing
better, he had a bit of a setback, his staples got infected and they had to cut open his incision to drain the infection. The he had a hematoma
in his leg. He has his ups and downs with his emotions so we all work real hard to keep his spirits up. Gym has been going really well, working
on cutting my floor music with my mom, which I hope to get finialized this weekend. Been playing Chuckee at work lately, which is kind of fun.
Getting ready to register for public school, this will be the 1st time in a classroom in over 5 years, exited and a little nervous at the same time.
I also had some exciting news, I got a car, yeah, no more sharing with mom, which wasn’t so bad at least I had a car most of the time. But now
I have my own, and a very empty bank account to show for it. Well I will be back more often now that things are smoothing out at practice is
more intense. Have a question, just ask away and I will be sure to respond…have a great day and a great week.
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My brother is still in the hospital due to bleeding complications he will need a blood transfusion, so we will have to wait and see what happens
over the next couple of days. He is holding on to his spirits and really looking forward to going home. His pain was really bad yesterday and for
some reason just didn’t get under control but he is much better today (as far as the pain in concerned). Once his blood count gets back to a safe
level, they will try to get him up again and get him using the crutches. I have some other news to tell as well, but that will have to wait until
tomorrow..stay well all
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My brother’s surgery went very well, they say he should make a full recovery, although that will take a long time. He did have excessive bleeding
during the operation so they are going to be watching him real careful for the next 24 hours. He is in a lot of pain, but glad it is over and he can
now look towards the road to recovery. It was a long night as I stayed at the hospital with him, but it was good and I was able to be there when
he woke in the middle of the night and just needed someone to talk to. I am home for a little while and then going back to see him later tonight.
He needed some rest after the surgery. I will keep you posted on his progress and then back to focusing on gym and my skills, he would not
want me to loose any more gym time for this. Thank you everyone for their prayers and support.
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I spent the day at the hospital with my brother Todd today awaiting his surgery, which was pushed off until tomorrow, Friday, June 26th. He
was in good spirits most of the day, although he says he is a bit scared about going under even more then the surgery. We watched Twilight, played
cards and just talked. He had a lot of visitors and got a lot of fruit baskets today, the chocolate covered strawberry’s were the best. They say that
he won’t be able to put any weight on his leg for about 10 weeks. I am glad that I will be able to be there for him like he was for me back when I
broke my leg. I will be spending the night at the hospital with him so that he is not alone, because Cheryl, his wife, has to be home with their son
Preston, who is only 12 weeks old. My mom and dad will be here tomorrow morning before the surgery as well as Cheryl and I. Thank you to
everyone who has visited and for all their well wishes…until tomorrow..have a good night. See his stories on these links.
http://www.forsythnews.com/news/article/2806/ and http://www.atlantabike.org/node/1165
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Sorry been out for a little while, between training, 2 jobs and school work I have been a little busy. Practice is going well, my new skills are coming
along really well. I have been talking to Eastern Michigan who has expressed an interest in me joining their team…can you say scholarship hopes.
My friend Milan just accepted an offer from Iowa State (full scholarship) way to go girl. I am waiting on University of Kentucky to get back to me..
I am very hopeful with them. My foot is still not were I want it to be, back to the doctor in a week, hopefully we can just stick the needle in, get the
fluid out and move on…it has been way to long for this. Well back to school work and relaxing with family this evening. Thanks for joining me.
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A few months ago I hit my foot while doing a new skill on the uneven bars…yes ouch. I iced, but the swelling and pain got worse. So off to the
doctor’s I went. He said I had a bad muscle and bone bruise and to keep icing it. I was good and followed the doctor’s orders. Well 3 months later
and I have a bubble on the top of my foot that just won’t go away, he gave me some anti-inflammatory medicine at the time, but that did nothing.
So this trip around it was the NEEDLE. They numbed it, stuck a needle in to drain it and more meds. So hopefully this will work because this stops
me from doing a move I love on floor and one that not many gymnast can do and I miss doing it. I go back in 2 weeks, I am hoping the bubble
will be gone or he can just drain the rest. In the mean time, no gym for 4 days, ice and tape it when I go back on Monday until we get it under
control….well it is the weekend, I work today and church and relax tomorrow…have a great weekend.
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Today was long and exausting. Practice was long and hard today, the leg conditioning has been really grueling. A for some reason camp just
seemed so long today, I felt like it took forever for 6:00 pm to come. By the time I got home I was starving thank God for my dad who always
has dinner ready when I get home. Yes I do really appreciate it…well I am going to go crash and veg in front of the TV…till..well..soon.
Good night all…
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Well summer is in full swing and training is non-stop. We start at 9 am and go to 1 pm Monday – Friday. From there I switch to work mode
and become a camp counsler from 1 – 5 pm. Its fun I get to play with the kids and teach some gymnastics and a lot of other things.
I got a great rip today working on my new skills on bars, it will be a stinger tomorrow. My days are going to be really busy this summer as I train,
work and continue my studies so that I can head to my senior year in school. It should be a big change from homeschooling
which is what I have been doing for the past 5 years. Well off to relax and watch some TV before heading off to bed. Have a great night.
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It was the close of our 2008-2009 competitive season and to close it out with a blast we had our team banquet at US Play; music, dancing,
awards and more. It was a celebration of friends and a bitter sweet good-bye to Jessica who will be leaving us as she heads out to college. I see her tears
and smiles both of which I will be feeling next year when I get ready to leave some of my friends behind as I head out to college. Thanks for
joining me as I train over this next year hoping to once again make the National Championship which will be held in Texas.
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