Tomorrow begins the first day of the month that contains the first day of spring. For those in the Northeast and elsewhere, spring can’t come too soon. Even here, in Northeast Florida, we’ve endured extreme cold for this region killing off plants and trees that usually withstand milder winter temps.
As I thaw, I’m also dealing with the post Olympic blahs. I always experience this and look for the next sporting high. This is something I inherited from my late father who started his High School teaching career as a physical education instructor, coaching football and then later, wrestling. When he first came to New Jersey from Massachusetts, he was one of Bill Parcell’s (The Big Tuna) coaches. For those who know football, Bill went on to become a famous coach with Super Bowl creds. When I was out having lunch at a local Bergen, Co. NJ tavern several years ago with my parents, Bill came over to sit with us and told me stories about my dad as a coach. That is a memory I will always cherish.
As a UCONN Grad and Husky, I always look forward to March Madness that officially begins mid-month. Last night I witnessed the Lady Huskie’s 30th consecutive season win. They are truly something to behold, a well-oiled machine with another legendary coach. They are a beacon of light and inspiration to all young athletes, and that men’s team is looking pretty darn good as they head toward bracketology!
Years later, my father’s roommate at Springfiled College (MA) became the UCONN Lacrosse Coach and when I received admission to UCONN, I got a job with the athletic department as an usher at the basketball games. At the time there was no March Madness or Gampel Pavilion, just a big field house. But the team was highly ranked even then and I was given the job to pack the bleacher rows like a can of sardines.
These memories help to connect me with my late family members I call My Spirit Team Six and encourage me to endure all the challenges that have come my way, especially over the past 5 years.
As I’ve written previously, I’ve put up for sale the home my late husband and I bought in 2020 to launch our entrance to an easier and warmer lifestyle in The South. I’d intended to remain there and maintain the life I’d begun after Rich’s passing, but a restlessness took hold and I soon found myself creating a very different kind of life on a naturally unfolding course that leads me forward.
It hasn’t been easy path to say the least and as I told a good friend the other day I often feel like an outlier. In my personal circle that spans my youth to present, my path has been different from so many close to me. Although It’s reported that each day in the USA alone, 2,800 women become widowed, among my closest friends I can only count a few who’ve lost a partner or husband. I’m glad that they have not, of course, but the conundrum is until you are one of those 2,800, you can’t truly start to understand what this experience can do to a life. Most of my closest friends have been married to the same person for decades and have three adult kids and are now proud grand parents. I’m grateful they welcome me into their family circles and despite our different life circumstances, I appreciate our shared histories and longtime connections and that they understand that my four dogs are my family.
The other day, when I returned from Georgia after two days of working on home sale issues, I was having “one of those” days. Suddenly, I heard the sound of my big dog Jackson’s feet sprinting up the stairs. He’s an extremely sensitive dog with a giant brain and body. He entered the room and stared at me with his big serious amber eyes. When he senses one of his humans, or canine pack members, is “off” he immediately responds by paying attention to them.
After awhile, Jackson started his goofy antics that always make me laugh. We adopted him at three months of age and I know he had a “ruff” start in life. He seems to get it. I love his clownish nature and it definitely puts me in a better frame of mind. Maybe that’s why so many widowed people especially cherish the presence of their pets.
Sometimes we just have to accept our outlier status and also accept the way different circumstances shape our lives and appreciate what each person, or dog or other pet, brings to our table of life, and it is a good one.
For now, I will just go and plant my new Husky house flag and see what develops as springtime, and March Madness and Gladness nears. Have a good weekend. March on.
