Game face – on!

As you know, Bryan bleeds green. His Birds consume most of his waking hours from August to (if we’re lucky) February. This post is late in coming. By now, the outcome is old news. The all-consuming nature of post-fire inventory takes up most of my “free time”.

And so, I thank you for reading this post anyway, blog friends. Let’s rewind time a bit and peek into Bryan’s world.

Each January post-season Eagles game was watched in eager anticipation by Bryan. After church, we would come back to our temporary home, have lunch together, and sit down with nervous energy bouncing off the walls as Bryan prepared the space prior to kickoff. The room where we watch TV transformed into “Eagles Central”. The decorating items were hauled to church in a huge bag, including a change of clothing for Bryan into Eagles gear. Once he was dressed in his regalia, out came the Pom-poms, Eagles beaded necklaces, hats, keychains, extra shirts, decals, socks, you-name-it, he has it! The stuff adorned every spare inch of the room including doorknobs and lamps.

Relentlessly, the Birds beat back the opposition to Bryan’s wild cheers and screams! “Yes, yes, YES!” , he yelled. Every week we worried about his unabashed optimism. Every week, it was justified. And finally, after the Rams were defeated in the Snow Bowl with our players making snow angels in the end zone and a trouncing of the Commanders, we were Super Bowl-bound! Hopping up and down, we celebrated with a group hug and plenty of high fives.

The Super Bowl party was held at Bryan’s sister’s house. Once again, Bryan adorned her place with all of his tchotchkes. The food was abundant as was the family’s team spirit. The halftime score has us all quite hopeful. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Then the Chiefs struck back after halftime. Bryan began to become noticeably nervous and concerned. But, as you all know, the Birds came through the messy second half with a win. We all basked in the glow of victory with a huge sigh of relief.

Thus endeth the Eagles season with their second Super Bowl win ever. And there’s one very satisfied and happy fan who will bask in this glow until next August rolls around.