A Rose Bowl Game

I was worried about HJ (my wife) making herself too tired to the detriment of her health that may  affect on her surgery schedule. She is to take a colon laparoscopic operation soon. But she insisted that she is alright. I knew she did not want to disappoint Cherry -- I call her darling daughter. Cherry has been a diehard UCLA football team supporter for perhaps million years that we have season tickets. We meet at the bowl multitude of people; with them our family mingle. We eat and drink; we yell and hold our breath with hope, joy, and disappointment. After all, we learn something at the end of the day, promising to come again to the next game.

Today is the last game of the season at the home ground, the Rose Bowl. Weather was chilly which is unsual to Californians. So we are prepared with warm clothes. Our tailgate party now has become an essential part of the game. HJ's hamberger was good. The warm barley tea was heartening our frozen bodies. Today's game is between UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) and UC (University of Colorado). At the stadium, the alumni cheerleader's yelling was even lauder signifying the season' end.

Here is an interesting saga. Taylor Embree is a wide receiver of UCLA playing today. The opponent team coach is Jon Embree, his father. Not very far from our seats are his family members: his grandma, mother, and sister. Their jersey shirts were custom made only for them and were half blue (UCLA) and half black (UC) intertwined like a circus costume. Everybody could understand their inseparable divided feeling, because their minds probably were for both to win, which was not their fate. Jon Embree used to be an assistant coach of UCLA for three and now is the first year coach of UC. A neck and neck score would have been less cruel to some of the family members. The lopsided 45:6 must have been heartbreaking. But Rick Newheisel (UCLA coach) is also at stake. His performance this year has not been very inpressive. This man might be fired unless this game and the other scheduled next week should turn into his favor. The sports world is indeed tough!

My sympathy went to Jon Embree, the loser of the day. What would have been going on his mind? He has to win as the first year coach to secure position. His son, Taylor Embree, has to win graduating this year and seeking professional football career. Would he pray for himself, or his son, were he given only one choice? He was aware of many kids of his son's age depending on him. He might have sensed that his emotion was devilish. But I am sure he prayed for the better performing team to win after all.
(November 20,2011, KYP)