The band, downdowndown, sings in their recent song, PROPAGANDALOVE, “Who wants a non-existent, pretend, one-sided love?” After lifting this angst enveloped statement to the sky, the singer confesses, “I do.” We all want to be loved. We all need to be loved and if we aren’t, we construct a love suitable for our perceived needs (real or not).
The fans of sport franchises, for example, are paradigms of this need. They desire to be loved by their teams. Be it seen through ticket sales, merchandise sales, or crazy outfits on game day, all fans desire to be loved by their teams.
Now that love is not a real expression like hugs and kisses or “’til death do us part” (although for some franchises the latter may be more true than not), but an expression on the field, court or pitch. They want to see their team win. And, if their team can’t win, they must, at least, compete. Their team must fight, scratch, claw, and give of themselves to express that love to their fans.
Sometimes this truth becomes reality. Sometimes, perhaps often, it does not.
My Real Salt Lake experience in the last few weeks has prompted me to shout out, “I do!” I want to see this reality. I want to hear the cries (of joy) on the coming Saturdays of the MLS season. I want to high five my fellow “lovers.” I want to raise my hands in victory on those summer days to come AFTER the whistle has blown. I want to be loved. And do you know what I know? IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR!
ReALity is coming. Do I still want it? I do.
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