Oh, the horror of the devastation.

In a single day, yes, a single day, all five Texas teams fell.

Amid the flashing lights and clamoring reporters, the conquerors of the courts leaped in jubilation and marshaled their forces to advance and play again.

There is no need to name those who have fallen. We know them well. They are our schools.

There is no need to name those who have advanced. We know them well. They are our schools.

Seven of my thirty-one survived the first three rounds and now march forth under the banner of the “Sweet Sixteen” to do further battle.

We salute their advance and wait to take our seats again in dread and hopeful anticipation.

In this small time between, let us take a moment to reflect on the nature of time and the manner of memory.

Reflection of “Still Alice”: In the academic setting of this recent movie, we run, walk, stumble and numbly watch with Professor Alice, played by Julianne Moore. Julianne received the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Alice’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her memory fails and is lost. Yet, she is still Alice who knows who she is and what she was in the shell of her remaining self. The lesson we learn from Alice, through the tears of our frustration with her failing mind, is that each life, despite its brevity, is a unique experience to be treasured in the manner and time we have to hold and share it.

Reflection of “The Theory of Everything”: In the academic setting of this recent movie, we run, walk, stumble and fall smiling with Professor Stephen Hawking, played by Eddie Redmayne. Eddie received the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stephen’s struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. His body fails and is lost. Yet, he is still Professor Stephen Hawking who can see the heart of the universe as his twisted body breaks the hearts of those around him. The lesson we learn from Stephen, through the tears of our frustration with his failing body, is that each life, despite its brevity, is a unique experience to be treasured in the manner and time we have to hold and share it.

A Best Actress lost her mind. A Best Actor lost his body. In showing us those losses, they showed us that the persons they portrayed did not loose either.

Despite their adversities, they both, in their own time and in their own manner, prevailed and won.

It is in how we handle loss that we truly win.

Twenty-four of my teams have already lost and boarded their buses for home. Yes, it is only a sport and a game, but in its way, it is life. Only one team will win the tournament. Even if it is one of mine, thirty will have not. In all, sixty-seven teams will have lost.

That is life.

Despite the losses, I suspect every one of the players on every one of the teams, including those of the final winner, will remember the tournament as a unique experience to be treasured in the manner and time they have to hold and share it.

In that, I think Professors Alice and Stephen would be quite proud of them.

In my way, I know that I am of each of them.

That is life.

 
Grandpa Jim