The Great Metaphor – by Jack W.

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year.  Growing up in the Midwest, the first hint of cool, damp air during a late August evening would send my heart a flutter with memories and expectations.  The most cherished bloom in this bouquet of lifelong flashbacks is FOOTBALL!

Now, no reasonable human being could begin to dispute that football has clearly supplanted baseball as our national past time.  Over the generations much weight has been given to the life lessons taught by the playing of the game.  While being part of a team and bonding through adversity benefit even the most casual participant, the reason for it isn’t often articulated.  I’ll take a stab at it.  Football is our culture’s greatest metaphor for life.

Just think about it, a football game begins much as life does, with splendid color and pageantry.  Proud supporters at every turn completely enamored with the festivities.  Colors are important and grown people are reduced to acts of foolish exuberance.  I challenge you to find a clearer channel of group focus.

As the game begins we go through a “feeling out” period where we get our bearings and see just what our opponent, life, plans to throw at us.  With our feet firmly planted under us we attack life with the gusto that only comes with youth.  We tend to vigorously attack our opponent with those plays we have found work best.  Those plays help us navigate our way through the educational process before we take a “half time” break to assess just where we are.  After some strategic adjustments we attack life now armed with the wisdom of experience in hopes of building a lead we can take into the fourth quarter.  The progress you’ve made to this point will largely determine the outcome of the rest of the game.  See, a near perfect metaphor.

So as we raise a glass together, here’s hoping each of you finds yourself “taking a knee” late in the fourth quarter of your life enjoying the huge lead you’ve so faithfully built.