REFLECTIONS ON 2010

2010, it’s been quite a year! From the BCS Championship game to being in the hospital thinking I was about to have open heart surgery to save my life.

On January 7, 2010, Alabama beat the University of Texas to become the NCAA football national champions. After being left beaten and bloodied by the side of the road to die as a result of the NCAA sanctions leveled in 2002, we overcame and became national champions for the 2009 season. While I didn’t attend the BCS championship game in Pasadena, I watched from one or my favorite places and partied into the night. This was truly a magnificent evening that will live in my mind forever.

I did, however, attend the Jimmy Buffett concert in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Jimmy did a concert to raise awareness and assist local businesses with respect to the explosion of the BP rig in the Gulf of Mexico. I was able to attend the concert and drop some money into the economy. My favorite singer at my favorite place! How great is that?

While both of the events have shaped my year, the highlight of my year had to be the attending of my high school reunion. Since I graduated, I had not been back for a reunion, nor had I kept up with anyone in my class. Well, attending the reunion changed everything. I changed from a somewhat “I didn’t like those people then and I doubt I would like them now” to someone who really loves the members of my high school class. They’re great people and I almost missed out on their friendships. But I didn’t. For those of you in my class, I love you and look forward to our continued friendships.

Another high point in my year came when I was re-united with my best friend from high school. She was unable to attend the reunion, but I later re-united with her at her Mom’s funeral. While this was certainly a solemn occasion for all of those that had been touched by her mother, falling in to my best friend’s arms gave me a comfort I can’t describe. We’ve vowed to never lose touch with each other.

The 2010 football season has been a disappointment; but when I think about those dismal seasons in the mid-2000’s under Mike Shula, I have to be pleased that we’re once again competing for championships and top-notch recruits. We’re ALABAMA, and the rest is the rest.

I guess the low point of this year was being admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. I guess I could have died, but I didn’t. Medication and a change of diet will hopefully seem me through. This little episode made me realize how import friends and family are, and that mine are the greatest. To my friends and family who helped get me through this, thank you!

2010 will be a memorable year and one that is bringing so many changes to my life. And they’re good changes. There will be some challenges coming my way in 2011, but with God and great family and friends, I’ll surely come through. “Thank you, thank you, thank God for you!