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| My friend Kathy tagged this photo to my Facebook wall overnight, and labeled it "Marianne Love." |
I chuckled this morning, and commented that I have not shed a tear over the ZAGS loss last night. Disappointed, yes, but no tears.
The competitive spirit in most of us would want to shed tears for such a loss on such a huge stage with so many people watching.
Gonzaga's storybook season came to an abrupt end. No Final Four. No National Championship. More than enough prognosticating ZAGS naysayers grinning with glee because the ZAGS proved them right. Folks hoping to win the office pool wadding up their brackets. Even some ZAGS fans losing their faith and resorting to the fickle observation that maybe they weren't that good.
Not the ending we would have chosen.
Still, we love our team on this morning after. And, to the anonymous commenter from the other day, I do and always have appreciated the fact that other fans love their teams too. I've been around the block enough and have engaged in enough competitive situations to be very aware of the passion involved with any team supporters.
At my sisters' house, where we watched the game last night, things got quiet toward the end. We could sense the outcome, and we were disappointed because we all feel so connected to "our boys," so much so that my sister Laurie refers to Mike Hart as "Mikey."
One friend sent me a note and asked what was happening---were they trying to give their fans heart burn or a heart attack?
Well, I read the note right after Mikey Hart had dropped a three and the ZAGS had gained the lead.
ZAGS do have heart and Hart, and, yes, they've caused a few near heart attacks over this season.
But they've given so much more to enhance our physical, mental and emotional health, so much that our hearts can take nights like last night.
Back to my sisters' house. The final buzzer went off. The team that won 32 games and lost three games throughout their season by all of 18 points was done.
Within seconds, my sisters and I looked at each other and immediately started talking about horses and outside stuff and how winter had officially ended.
One more year, the ZAGS had helped us through a long winter, and during this particular season, they had provided a lot of extras. All good things must end, though, and with this loss on a basketball court in Salt Lake City, a lot of folks can move on with their lives.
For now, we're putting away "our fan uniforms" with our Boise State items. Bill's planning to pull out his Mariners hat, and we'll spend a lot more time outside and a lot less time in front of the TV.
It all begins again in November when the snow starts flying, and the Saturday morning calls come: your house or ours? What are we gonna eat tonight? Strange names of players from other countries will once again roll off our lips or other "Mikey's" will warm our "hearts" with their unbelievable talent.
And, I'll be irritating my readers once again with "GO ZAGS" and crazy reminders of why we love them so darn much.
No tears here! Just joy from another phenomenal year with Mark Few's boys.
2 comments:
Great post, Marianne. It was sad the comments people were making last night. As I said to my hubby, you are either a true fan and are sad the road ended for this year but know it was a great season and are proud of the boys, or you jump on the Zag wagon when they are doing well, then bash them when they play hard and lose. Although sad last night, we were also proud of an incredible season, of a team who plays with integrity, character, fairness, and love of the game. We certainly have seen other leagues who do not hold to those traits, but play to win at any cost. I am proud of a coach and team that have those strong character traits, and don't sink to dirty ball playing.
Thane had to fly to out today, and still wore his Zag gear proud, despite the loss. =)
while it was sad... this team and coach can walk with their heads held high.. They owe no apology to anyone.. when was the last time, you have had a season like this one.. those ticket holders got more than their moneys worth..
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