44 Years in the Making

   There’s something to be said for delayed gratification. The anticipation that builds as you wait, creates an incredible amount of joy once the goal is reached. It’s true about the Saints victory in the Super Bowl and it’s true about life. Good things happen to patient people. It’s funny how the unpleasantness that you live through on your journey can so easily be forgotten during the moment of your celebration. It’s as if every part of the experience, the good and the bad, added up to the victory. And while no one wants to relive their darkest day, deep down inside you know that even that was part of reaching your destiny.
   I watched the Super Bowl with a couple hundred of my closest friends. We started the celebration during the pre-game show with a Louisiana style feast. Gumbo, red beans and rice, jambalaya, barbeque pork, a wild pig (slow cooked in a Cajun microwave) and potato salad started off the evening. We all brought recliners and sofas and lounge chairs and such and filled up the auditorium at the church. It was some party.
   The game started slow for the Saints. The first quarter belonged to the Colts. It was very quiet in the building. You could feel the collective pit of worry in everyone’s stomach. It looked like it was going to be a long night. But then it happened. The Saints found the rhythm and never looked back. They dominated they final three quarters of the game, outscoring the Colts 31 to 7.
   I think the turning point of the game was when the Saints went for the touchdown on 4th and goal at the end of the Second Quarter. Even though they didn’t score, it set the tone for the Second Half. Sometimes a calculated risk is exactly what you need to inspire you on to victory.
   The onside kick, the interception, the coach and quarterback’s leadership and the unsung heroes on defense, not to mention our amazing field goal kicker finished the job. The New Orleans Saints are World Champions.
   44 years in the making. Victory sure is sweet. At the end of the game our place erupted. We danced and sang and laughed and cried. It was some celebration. There’s something to be said for delayed gratification.