Last Thanksgiving, I was flat on my back in a hospital bed and celebrated Thanksgiving day when my brother-in-law said mass for me and my wife in that hospital room.
For more than 50 years, I have been associated and involved with and always loved Xavier athletics, basketball in particular, especially after 1973.
Sunday, I had the pleasure of watching another Sean -Miller engineered feat with the victory over Memphis. Having seen the tentative rise, then fall and Phoenix-like rise again of Xavier basketball, Sunday was I hope the first of many happy days this season.
So as I sit here winding down another day, I have so much to be thankful for it's hard to be specific without forgetting. I'm most thankful for my wife, children and grandchild and all the members of my family and in-laws. Of course the doctors, nurses and therapists who kept me going and got me back on my feet after spending the last two months of 2007 in the hospital and nursing home.
Each time I watch Xavier play, win or lose, I can't help but say thanks for Sean Miller and his family, Mike Bobinski and his clan, Fr. Graham and Fr. Hoff, especially Father Hoff whom I consider to be someone to emulate and venerate. Because if he's not up there already, I've got no chance.
I'm thankful, too for all the friends --I hope you are--I've made on this board and XH. For the Muskieman, and Owl and Gary, and the admins and all the contributors, especially my new Brothers in the LHS
who recently made me an honorary member, a privilege accorded only to one other, Andy MacWilliams. What wonderful company to join.
Yes, I'm thankful for another year of life, and a chance to watch with pride the performances of some very classy young men, who are more than fine athletes, they're fine people.
And BTW, I hope Sean's guys remember the 2007 Miami game when the two teams meet Saturday in Cintas.
A very happy Thanksgiving
