We love and miss you, Whitney Houston. We will forever thank you for this. (starts at 0:37.)
Sporting events were new to me in HS. Such excitement. Such hope of victory. Here came our RIVALS, the opponents we planned to DEFEAT, running out on our field. Then, OUR team! GO, FIGHTING WOLVES!
As the pre-game excitement mounted, our attention was called to the flag. Everyone knew what to do. Hats came off. The mood changed and calm came over the crowd on both sides of the field. We stood. We sang.
I was fascinated by the ritual. I got it. And I liked it. For those moments, instead of competitors we were united. Because the truth was, we didn't hate each other. We were not actual enemies. This was a game. The anthem reminded us of our oneness.
And at sporting contests across America we heard, "Now will you all please rise..."
