It's Football Season

Philadelphia Eagles fans are rare creatures. The start of the Eagles season is akin to a national holiday in Philadelphia, and the weekly anticipation for each Sunday’s game is higher than Christmas and your birthday combined. The games are more important than family (unless the family is huddled around the TV together), friends (unless the friends are there to high five and cheer each time the Eagles make a play), and even God (unless prayers for a miraculous win are needed). This past Sunday, I realized that even though he is really sick, Mike does indeed still bleed Eagles green.

Sunday morning, I woke up to Mike’s loud voice: “Lizzy, Lizzy, get up, the Eagles are on in 15 minutes.” I could barely open my eyes; I was tired. Really tired. With one eye open, I looked at the clock. It was 6 am! I told Mike to go back to sleep, and did my best to explain that it was only 6 am and the game would not be on for another 7 hours. Some time went by, and again Mike started yelling: “Lizzy, get up. The Game is on.” I looked at the clock; this time, it was 7:15 am. We repeated this routine every hour until noon when I turned on Fox NFL Sunday for Mike to watch. Within 5 minutes, he fell sound asleep!

Given his recent state of confusion and overall mental disarray, it really was amazing that Mike (a) remembered that it was a Sunday; (b) knew that football season was starting; (c) recalled that the Eagles were playing Green Bay; and (d) was actually excited to watch the game. Mike had not shown any excitement for any activity for a few months, and it was just nice to hear the sheer anticipation in his voice.

Throughout the day, many friends stopped by and “watched” parts of the game with Mike. Mike also slept, or pretended like he was sleeping so we would all stop screaming in his ear, for big chunks of the game. But when the Eagles lost, he was alert and mad. And at the end of the night, just as any true Eagles fan, he complained about the coach, the offense, the special teams, the quarterback, and everything else in between. Never mind that he actually didn't see half of the things he was complaining about. That's how we do it in Philly anyway!

It is now Wed. and Mike is already talking about the upcoming Monday night game. He is also talking non-stop about his fantasy football teams (warning: he assures me that he will win this week). Needless to say, Mike seems to be more alert and oriented, thanks to football season. He is still not good, but very slightly better. Also, on a bright non football-related note, Mike has started eating again, which is a cause for celebration in and of itself (please knock on wood the instant you read this). We have no idea what the days, weeks, and (hopefully) months ahead will bring. But for now, we are hanging in, hanging on, and busy watching football!