His #1 Fan
All my life, I’ve been a fan of two teams: the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls. Both have had their heyday in years past. When the Refrigerator and Walter Payton were playing for the Bears in the 80s, they were virtually unstoppable. And who can forget the ’97 NBA season when Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Kukoc and Harper were playing for the Bulls? They won 72 games AND the championship that season! I get goosebumps just THINKING about how awesome those teams were when I was growing up.
When I think about my husband and when we first met, I get doo-dads running up and down my spine, just like butterflies invaded my stomach when it was NFL and NBA playoff time during the golden age of Chicago sports. When I think about how I ran from him and he put on the chase through his letters and chivalry, it makes me giggle like a little 16 year old. He definitely drew me to him with kindness and love that is rare in this day and age. They just don’t make ‘em like that much anymore. I’m so appreciative for his chivalry, integrity and undying love!
Eventually, though, Payton died, Jordan retired (for the third or fourth time), Phil Jackson moved to L.A., and other players were traded or chose to retire. The golden era not only ended, but my teams went from being top in their leagues to rock bottom. People questioned my loyalty, refusing to believe that I was not just a Jordan fan, but a Chicago Bulls fan for LIFE. There were plenty of times I wanted to cheer for another team, but my fidelity would not allow it. I haven’t even been back to Chicago since 1999, but let someone talk bad about my teams…even if what they were saying was TRUE, I would argue about their good points until the chickens came home to roost. I was the brunt of every joke at work. because at introductory sessions, when commanders asked me what my favorite NFL team was, I boldly stated, “DA BEARS!” as if they were the number one team in the league.
On the same token, my marriage hit hard times emotionally and financially, on occasion causing me to consider giving up on it all. Who wants to go through a cycle of the same old trials over and over and over again, knowing with passing year, they will progressively get worse? I’ve threatened to leave on three separate occasions, but after considering my vows, listening to my mentors and being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I chose to stay and work things out. I also promised that the last time I threatened to leave (I already had a job waiting for me in another state) was the LAST TIME that threat would emit from my lips. My family hasn’t given up on me, but they think I’m a glutton for punishment by staying in this marriage. Some of my acquaintances have tried to “encourage” me by saying that I deserve better, and they remind me of how much I had it going on prior to jumping the broom. While their statements are factual, the truth of the matter is that I’ve made a commitment to my husband. If it were that easy for me to give up, I should have never lied in front of all those people when I stated my vows on my wedding day.
In the past 3 years, however, I’ve gained the last laugh. The Bears went to the Superbowl in 2007, 22 years after their last appearance. And the Bulls showed true grit this season, playing three games in triple overtime during the NBA Playoffs, 10 years after their last dance with the NBA playoffs. I can’t help but believe that the financial mistakes my husband and I have made collectively over the past five years are about to turn around as well. Today, he got paid, and for the first time in a LONG time, he actually stuck to our budget as we had discussed. That may seem like a small thing to some, but to me, it is a light bursting forth out of darkness, giving me hope for a new day. Despite repossessions and threatened foreclosures, despite being teased and folks attempting to embarrass me because of our current situation, if I can maintain my loyalty to two teams that have gone from being on top to hitting rock bottom, how much more would I maintain my loyalty to this man that I pledged to be with, for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, till death do us part?
Brothers and sisters, I’m die-hard in my allegiances, and I’m committed to being my husband’s #1 fan–whether on top or rock bottom–until our caskets drop.
God bless!
~ Harriet
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