Football got me thinking

I love America. While I strongly disagree with some of what she has come to stand for, especially recently, there is so much about my homeland that brings me nearly inexpressible joy.

This place, where within all its borders lie the tropics, mountains, glaciers, desert, prarie, farmland, and beaches. Where, every once in a while, people pay for each other's meals in the drive-thru. Where, every once in a while, teenagers say ma'am. I love having the expectation of freedom and, on a large scale, not having to fear for my life or the lives of my loved ones every day. In a sort of first-world, anti-humanitarian way, I love being able to spend a couple of bucks on silly little valentine cards for my kids' friends, knowing they'll just be looked at and then tossed.

There's nothing like the Super Bowl to make a person bubble over with American-ness. This one in particular, since we actually had a rooting interest. Panthers fans we are, in a rather loose sense. Football is sport number three around here. But we were looking forward to the game and our little low-key party for the four of us.

Each of us got some comfort food. Apparently my party-planning skills need some work, because Aden couldn't figure out why, at a Super Bowl party, we didn't have napkins that said Super Bowl 50 on them. Maybe I'll let him plan the party for next year.

Anyway, we sat down for the game and all the excitement and TV-generated drama took over. Man, I love it. Here in this place where people pay a couple thousand bucks to travel a long way and watch big fellas head-butt each other for five hours. Ridiculous. And only in America.

Found myself choked up during "America the Beautiful" and, as always and in spite of who I consider to be a strange and disappointing choice for the singer, lost a tear or two during the national anthem. Especially as the active troops were shown on the screen. Then the flyover, my heart so swollen with pride it could have burst.

Yes, I love the Super Bowl. And America too. In spite of everything.

Here is some of how we spent our party. Wanted to capture more, but my camera batteries are beyond pathetic by now.

I say we enjoyed the game, but maybe it would be better to say that we enjoyed the Super Bowl atmosphere and being together. After all, the commercials were a complete letdown, the halftime show was abysmal, and the poor Panthers just weren't themselves. Truth be told, only Brandon made it to the end. Aden and I turned in early in the third quarter. Trey was soon to follow. With our schedule lately, excitement just can't seem to beat out exhaustion.

So thankful for home and family. For freedom. For football-inspired American warm fuzzies.

Keep pounding, Cam.