41 - I Do What?

I Do What ??

I watch football. As a 90-year-old woman I know that sounds strange… Actually I’m an avid fan of our San Diego football team. But many years ago even that team came second to the Minnesota Vikings. But that’s a long story.

It was my early years of working for 3M Company and I was familiar with traveling to St Paul, Minnesota between Christmas and New Years. The company set us up in a nice hotel and we spent much of our daylight hours in meetings. That is where we learned about new products, were taught better sales techniques, and were encouraged to do our very best. We were also given free time on the weekend, and I knew exactly what I was going to do with mine. I was going to see the San Diego Charges play the Minneapolis Vikings with the two tickets my brother had bought for me as a surprise.

I couldn’t find anyone to use the extra ticket and go to the game with me, but I was determined to go even if the weather was something like 9 degrees. I would not miss this chance to see Fran Tarkington play. So I called a cab and asked the driver if there was anyplace nearby where a bus might arrive to take Viking fans to the Minneapolis stadium.

“Just up the street is the Red Barn.” he replied “It’s a restaurant and bar. There probably are people waiting there already.” It took him just a few minutes to get me there. I climbed out of the cab, paid him and thanked him for his help.

“Lady,” he said “you be careful. Them shoes you’re wearing ain’t too good on the ice.” I thanked him for his concern, entered the bar and ordered a Bloody Mary. It just seemed appropriate and I could take small sips. “You new around here? “the bartender asked. “Very new” I answered “I’m from San Diego.” “Well I guess you’re here to root for your team,” he said. “Oh! No,” I replied “I’m here to root for the Vikings.”

“Hey, you guys,” he yelled into the restaurant where many Viking fans were sipping coffee and waiting for the bus. “We’ve got a newcomer here. She lives in San Diego and has come here because her favorite team is our Vikings. Come in and meet her.” It was really fun waiting for the bus. They all understood that my support was built mainly on their quarterback, Fran Tarkington. They all seemed to feel about the same. He was everyone’s hero.

The bus was a hubbub of sound with differences of opinions and fans knowing what they would do if they were the coach. All noisy fun and I loved it. The excitement, warm-heartedness and acceptance of me was so very special.

When we arrived at the stadium, many fans had left the bus before I started to climb down. At the foot of the stairs two men were waiting for me. To my surprise each took an elbow, lifted me off the ground and carried me that way into the stadium. Then they explained, “Honey, there’s no way you could have walked over that ice with those shoes on.” They grinned, and I smiled and thanked them and left to find my seat.

The end-zone seats were like bleachers and my seat was three rows up. All around me were people that knew me and, though I was freezing, I felt so exhilarated. I could hardly wait for the first kickoff. It came and the game began and I screamed and yelled with the best of them. Maybe that’s why I didn’t freeze.

I did welcome half time when I could go into the stadium for a little warmth and a cigarette. When I returned my new friends were returning also. The first young couple handed me a pair of gloves to protect my hands. A young man and his girl arrived after that with a knit hat for my freezing head. It was not just what they were giving me. It was a gesture of such wonderful kindness that my eyes filled with tears.

Before long everyone had returned to their seats. The fellow who sat in front of me turned to tell me to look up. “Turn around and look up,” he said. I did and about four rows up a man was passing down a sleeping bag. “Climb in,” he yelled “and zip it up. It’ll keep you warm” and I did and it did.

When we arrived back at the Red Barn my friends would not hear of me calling a cab. They insisted that I share pizza with them and talk about the game. Later a couple drove me back to the hotel. After thanking them sincerely, I returned to my room, closed the door and with my back leaning against it, realized that I could not have dreamt of a day so completely wonderful.

Of course the Vikings won. Fran scrambled as only he could and I lived the wonder of the day. It’s a day I have never forgotten. It remains in my heart as a memory of kindness, caring and an incredible football game.