The NFC Championship game
My group watched the NFC Championship game from our home. We figured we could scrape up the money for a game ticket, the flight up to Chicago and a hotel room. But nobody could afford all the winter clothes we would need to sit though the game and not freeze to death. We only had two scarves and three pairs of gloves among the 12 of us who were there, and what we call winter coats in New Orleans wouldn't protect us from the airport to the taxi. Then there's the problem of where to buy show shoes and boots in New Orleans. Anyway, we decided to just stay home.
We had all the food and good omens
I had on my gold headband with the black feather that brought us luck in the last game against the Eagles and we had all the right food. Nothing nutritious, and lots of king cake. And of course we had beer and wine. We were set!
The wrong ending
But, alas it was not to be. Our beloved Saints lost the game. Sure we were down about that, but somebody said, "What til next year!". Now that phrase is shouted every year at the end of the Saints season. But, this time it was different. We all stood in silence and suddenly began to smile. This time we really could look forward to next year. We now have a good football team. Something to build on, something to expect good things from. Suddenly, things weren't so bad.
The Saints return to New Orleans
And it wasn't just our group. That night when the Saints returned to New Orleans at 1 a.m. A lot of fans were there in the rain greeting the team as though they had won the game. The Times-Picayune had a great story on how well the Saints did this year. There was nothing negative said about the team, the players, the coaches or management. I realize that it was because, no one in New Orleans saw the loss. What we see is a group of heroes who took our minds off rebuilding, trying to find honest contractors, fighting with FEMA and the LRA. What we see is a group of heroes who have given us hope that this great American city will be reborn and become someplace even better that before. To us the Saints are more than just a football team, they are our heroes.
The flags in the "Who Dat Nation" are not flying at half-mast. We're not sad, we're so very grateful for the ride. Bless you boys! So, you just wait until next year! Go. Saints, Go!
