We Are!

A few days ago I stopped to take a photo of a beautiful sunflower growing in the midst of weeds and dirt. One stunning flower. Standing tall. Being extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary.

It made me think of something my youngest son said recently after traveling to Altoona for his football game.  He said "Why is every town outside of State College crap? I mean look at this place (Altoona). Who would want to live here? State College is the best place on earth!"

I tried to be unbiased when I answered his question. I mentioned that every town has good and bad qualities for example Altoona does have a nice shopping mall, but I had to agree with him. We do live in a pretty, sweet place.

Yesterday I was fortunate to attend a home PSU football game with one of my favorite families in the world. I live close enough to the stadium that I can comfortably ride my bike to and from home games. So I loaded up my backpack with snacks and goodies and took off for their tailgate.

Along the way I saw people celebrating and smiling and wearing their blue and white. It made me smile and think about everything this town has gone through in the past three years. 

It has not been easy.

Yet, despite all of the changes, we remain resilient. Just like that sunflower.

When I say "we" I don't just mean the people in this town. I am referring to every single person who makes the trek to Happy Valley and supports this university. These are passionate, beautiful, civil people.

After riding my bike across the IST bridge I continued along Pollock Road and noticed the car in front of me had a Texas license plate. I got a little teary eyed when I saw JOE 409 was its license plate number. 

I arrived at my friends' tailgate just in time to watch the Blue Band march to the stadium. As the band got closer and closer you could feel the energy and the anticipation. It was palpable. I looked across the street and noticed a man comforting his wife as she tried not to cry. I could see her lips shaking as she gently blotted away tears. Maybe they were Blue Band parents or maybe they were just caught up in the moment; regardless, I found myself trying not to cry too. The band was not able to play at the now defunct TailGreat, but for the first time ever, they were playing and dancing proudly all the way into the stadium.

The flurry of emotions did not end there: 

- There was a video that played at the start of the game that showed clips of Joe Paterno. The entire stadium erupted with cheers (and tears). 

- The playing of the national anthem and the students singing their alma mater arm-in-arm filled me with pride.

- The drum major running onto the field and sticking his back flip. Awesome!

- A cheerleader bringing a rose to her parents.

- The big guy in front of us who stood up and gave us a high five every time there was a good play.

After the game ended, I hugged my friends, and headed home. As I pedaled along I thought about the reasons that make our hometown so special. I decided it has nothing to do with shopping malls or stadiums. It has to do with the people. It has to do with the feelings and the emotions. It has to do with the camaraderie of overcoming undeserved, unwarranted obstacles. 

Jay Paterno wrote in "Paterno Legacy" about asking his father why after every game he had the team recite the Lord's prayer. Joe told him "The words, Jay, the words:" "Our Father" "give us this day our daily bread" "forgive us.. as we forgive" "we" "us" every pronoun is plural. There is no "I" or "me."

I believe that is why this town, this university, this special place called "Happy Valley" is unique. We celebrate and commiserate not individually but as an extraordinary collective. 

"We are!!!" and always will be.