We will always be Syracuse fans first, but today my youngest daughter and I made a memory that will last a long time. Emily and I went to the NCAA East Regional Final. It was the elite eight right in our own city. We saw Michigan State play Louisville. Rick Pitino used to be an assistant many years ago at Syracuse, but my grandson was born in Michigan so today, I was a Spartan fan. What a game it was. It went into overtime, and Michigan State prevailed. Congrats to Coach Izzo and his team! Kudos to Coach Pitino on a great season (but did I mention that Syracuse beat the Cardinals on this court this season?!!! I was at that game too!)
More and more I'm learning that life is about seizing the moment and cherishing the memories. It's about embracing the present and being hopeful for the future. Today I spoke with a man from our church who is 22 years older than I am. He is a great example to me and I cherish our monthly breakfast together. I didn't know we would see each other at the game, but it served as a reminder that memories keep on being made through the years - as he was there with his son.
You see ten years ago, I went to another elite eight game in the Dome where my son and I saw the North Carolina Tar Heels defeat the Wisconsin Badgers for a trip to the final four. North Carolina would go on to win that national championship. Today I was amazed at my daughter's grasp of a game my family loves. As the game neared the end, and was ever so close, she said 'it's not the first nail-biter in the dome!' I smiled on the outside and the inside.
Today I saw a great basketball game. I watched it in my favorite venue: The Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus. I witnessed the hard work and passion for the game of two storied programs - Louisville, and Michigan State. I would rather watch the Orange, but there's no one I would rather watch it with than the young lady I did today. Today I was blessed to share that memory with my youngest daughter. I cherish the memory. I wore green. She wore 'Cuse gear. Love that girl.
You want to keep the fire burning? I recommend you start with faith. Following that, I highly recommend you cherish every minute God gives you with your family. I did today. I will never regret it. Neither will you! Keep the Fire Burning!
