Don't Be Like Me, Be Better Than Me - Day 107
Grayson my son,
There are things you will pick up from me that I have no intention of passing on to you. You're always watching me. Now, I am conscious of this, so I take heart in being a better person in front of you. That in turn is making me a better person overall. I'm proud of that fact! It sits pinned on my chest like a badge of honor.
But sadly, there is a part of Daddy's life that I regularly struggle with. I won't be able to hide it from your view. Being from where we're from, I claim I'm just a product of my environment. However, I don't want to subject you to this lifestyle. My heart wants two things that have not coexisted in history. I am disclosing this to you because I love you and want the best for you regardless of my struggles. Your father, Marcus Alexander, first of his name, ATLien till deaF, is an Atlanta Falcon's fan, and what my heart wants is to be diehard AND not experience pain at the end of each season.
Between January and February of every year, I experience great heartache (with the February pain of 2017 being the worst on record). I tell myself that I don't have to deal with this, that I should just leave. “You don't need them, especially if they're gonna keep treating you like this!” And I do son, I leave every year. I tuck my Falcon's gear away and look forward to a better future without them. For a period of time, I'm happy. I don't even think about them. “This time is different. I'm not going back.” I tell myself, “Hey, you can really get behind your fantasy football roster this year, root for your favorite players.”
Yet, here we are in September. I stand here before you dressed from nose to toes in Falcon's gear. Your mother and I are headed to the home opener today. After everything they put us through, we are again being pulled back into this one-sided love affair. They don't love us! If they did, why would they replay our January heartbreak to the letter last week. At least earlier this year, we had the Minneapolis Miracle to keep us warm at night!!!
But I'm a Falcon's fan son, through and through. I enter every new season as if the last one never happened, at least until they give me something worth remembering. I #riseup proudly, and I'm #inbrotherhood, but you don't have to be. Choose your own path, find your football road that brings you joy. I wish you well and I love you, son.
Daddy
Disclaimer: If you find yourself on a road leading towards New England, or yet worst, that team not even worth the keystrokes, all bets are off. We're done.
So the video is obviously a bit beyond Month 4, but it’s both relevant and hilarious.
