Four Years

I spent the morning on edge. I finished shoveling out the two cars by noon, looked at my watch and commented to my neighbor, “We’ve still got three hours.” He responded, “Whatever happens, I’m ready for it. I’ve got everything I need. It’s only a matter of killing time.” I did not feel prepared.

It’s close to midnight and I’m only now beginning to feel normal. It’s over and I’m home and the past four painful years are behind me. They’re behind all of us and it’s a relief. I know that whatever happens tomorrow or in the next two weeks, it will be tolerable because for as long as I can remember, since I was a small boy throwing a football in the street with my brother, I’ve been waiting for the Eagles to go to the Super Bowl.

The important things to know are that at kickoff time the sky was clear blue. Yesterday a foot of snow fell, but today the field was clear. After sunset a nearly full moon rose. The temperature never climbed above the teens. The wind gusts neared 40 mph and the wind-chill registered in the single digits. Atlanta’s Vick got sacked 4 times. He lost more yards getting sacked than he gained on his infamous runs. McNabb threw for two touchdowns, Levens was shoved into the end zone for one touchdown and Akers kicked two perfect field goals with and against the wind.

This is a city with abysmally low self-esteem, yet tonight Philadelphians feels good. I watched the game at a friend’s in Old City. We walked to a corner bar to celebrate after the win and watch the next game to see whether New England or Pittsburgh would be our rivals on February 6. I left the bar after half time. Pittsburgh wasn’t climbing out of the hole they began digging last week against the Jets. I walked up Market to Broad. An impromptu rally amassed around city hall. I sang along as I trudged through the snow on my long walk home, “Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory / Fight, Eagles fight, score a touchdown one, two three…”