Contraband

According to Merriam-Webster contraband is "goods or merchandise whose importation, exportation, or possession is forbidden." Possession being the key word. In my life contraband is many things. Contraband is a bottle of water in my carry on bag at O'Hare, an umbrella at Soldier Field or a camera at a Bruce Springsteen concert. In a kindergartner's world contraband might be bubble gum, candy, permanent markers or a bottle of glue instead of a glue stick. In a teenager's world it might be cigarettes, a cell phone in class or porn. But for a senior citizen............it's salt. That's right, salt. Tonight, as Rick was visiting his Dad in the rehab center, he witnessed his Dad sneaking not one, but two packets of salt to another rehab resident, who we're pretty sure, is not supposed to have salt. Gotta love the old folks sticking together.

Is this what it boils down to? I don't even like salt but my girls better be sneaking me some in my golden years!

Eric is "The Man"

Since opening the "New Soldier Field" a few years back, season ticket holders have had to enter a lottery each year to obtain ridiculously expensive parking for the season. We have been fortunate in the past to win the lottery for the "South Lot." South lot parking enables us to park in the handicap section of Waldron Deck. This is key since Rick's dad, Ken aka Poppie, age 89 and season ticket holder since 1946, probably could not attend without handicap parking. Well, this year we lost the lottery. According to the Bears, however, we "won." We "won" parking in the new "Southwest Lot" located at Michael Reese hospital. For those of you familiar with the city, you know just how far Michael Reese is from Soldier Field. This was going to make our game day experience hell. For a man of 89 years to be expected to get to the stadium from the southwest lot is utterly insane. We were very uncertain as to how this was going to work out this year. So uncertain that we have yet to tell Poppie about the parking situation for fear that he would not want to attend anymore.

Enter Eric. Eric is a fellow Bears fan, along with his father, and an associate at Rick's firm. We had the pleasure of spending a lovely evening with Eric last night. When we are together the subject of the Bears is always a topic of conversation. Lo and behold, doesn't Eric hook us up with South Lot parking! This is HUGE! The Anderson family is forever in his debt and will be searching high and low for a way to show our appreciation. I suppose we could start with some cold brews at tailgate! So, here's to Eric - YOU'RE THE MAN!!!!!!

One more thing, GO CUBBIES!

Saints v. Bears for the NFC Championship

Ken (aka Grandpa, Poppie, Dad) has had Bears season's tickets since 1946. That's right, 1946. And if that weren't impressive on it's own, he has been going to the Bears games since 1939. 1939. Long before I was around. I, on the other hand, have been going to the games (on and off) for 20 years and have had my very own season's ticket since 1993. Today, Super Fan Eddie and his friend Bobby presented Ken with a Bears jersey with the number 39 and "Grandpa" inscribed on the back.Never could I have imagined a day like today. I was so happy I cried. That is sick my friends. What is even sicker is if it were the Cubs. I may very well have to be committed.

B E A R D O W N!