By WENDY HODGE
If you’re like me, the news is both a blessing and a curse. Every morning I weigh the desire to know what’s happening in the world against the certain sense of pessimism the news is sure to leave me with. It’s a struggle. Curiosity wins out today, and here’s what I learn from just a few brief minutes of scrolling through today’s headlines.
HEADLINE #1: NO WINNER IN SATURDAY’S LOTTERY DRAWING!
The Georgia Power Ball is up to $1 billion — the second largest amount in the history of the lottery. Tim and I have picked some numbers and asked a co-worker, who will be in Columbus today, to pick us up $10 worth of hopes and dreams. We spent a lovely half hour this weekend mulling over exactly what we’d do with such an unfathomable fortune. Travel, boats, a lake home… those were the first and obvious choices. The more we talked, the better it sounded. No more early morning alarm clocks, no trimming down the grocery list to fit a budget, no socking away extra money to pay for Christmas.
I think I would invest in a couple of businesses that I want to see expand and succeed. Tim would do the same. Maybe buy a restaurant or a bed and breakfast in a city we love to visit. We’d purchase an RV and visit every state of this great country… with a driver, of course.
I’d buy a hardback edition of every book I ever lay eyes on that looks even remotely interesting. Tim would, undoubtedly, own every type of fishing rod and lure known to man.
And then there would be money set aside for his children and for mine. From there, we began to compile a list of friends we’d love to give a small fortune to — anonymously, of course. It turns out, that was the best part of our lottery fantasy. Knowing our kids would be taken care of, and their kids too, would be so wonderful. Imagining someone we care about, who’s been a true friend, logging into their bank account and discovering they have half a million dollars more than they did the day before … that would be amazing. Lottery dreams — what a lovely thing.
HEADLINE #2: ANOTHER TIGER BITES THE DUST
Auburn University has fired football coach Brian Harsin after a disappointing season. Disappointing — not sure that’s a strong enough word. It’s been a hideous season. We Auburn fans are used to the ups and downs that come with cheering for the orange and blue, but even us veteran, seasoned, long-time Tigers have struggled this year. We’ve not given up, but we have struggled mightily.
Each game has taken a little of the shine off our pom poms. The eagle is as majestic as ever, but the fight song has begun to sound just a bit strained. The stands at Jordan-Hare start out with a roar and seem to end with a whimper. The faces on the jumbotron look a little haunted. The smiles are forced. We’re just plain worn out.
Whether you agree with firing a coach mid-season or not, it’s a tough day. A little more of our spirit has been trampled on. And those poor boys — and boys they are, some so young that high school was yesterday and their first real shave is a distant hope — you know they must be feeling the strain in ways we can’t imagine. Day after day, they run and kick and pass and plan for the big day. And Saturday after Saturday, they leave the stadium with lead in their stomach, weighed down with disappointment and regret. That’s a lot for a young man to carry around. Add a full-time course load at a tough university to that weight, and you’ve got a busload full of guys who just need some good news and a lucky break.
Who knows what the future looks like for Auburn as a team or as a fan base, but I know one thing as sure as I know my dad died proud to be an Auburn fan: There will be brighter days ahead for our Tigers, and all us fans will be cheering again. We may just need some new pom poms and a stiff drink or two.
HEADLINE #3: SUSPECT ARRESTED IN DELPHI MURDERS
Two little girls were killed in 2017 in Delphi, Indiana. I only know about the case because my son is a true crime buff. It was one of the things we bonded over when he was communicating with me, between addiction and rehab and angry isolation. I cherished those conversations, macabre though they were, because for a few minutes he would seem like himself — alert and interested, intelligent and intent on justice being done.
For years, there have been theories as to who murdered these two girls, these friends who met a stranger in the woods and died together. My son studied the psychology of the killer and the details of the crime itself. I found an out-of-print book someone had written about the murders and gave it to him for Christmas, though he could have written a better one himself after all the hours he’d spent documenting the case.
And now, they’ve made an arrest. Those families must be so relieved. And still in so much agony. And I wish that I could reach out and share the news with my son. Finally, the justice he appreciates so much will be delivered. But I can’t do that. I can’t reach out because we have reached another phase of silence. We haven’t spoken in months now, and I miss him. Every day, I miss him. Wherever he is, I hope he’s read the news and feels a sense of satisfaction that the monster who did this terrible thing may receive his just reward after all.
And so tonight, this day will end with another lottery drawing, another football coach with a multi-million-dollar severance package to enjoy and two families with answers they’ve waited five long years to get.
If our numbers are called tonight, and we are suddenly mega rich, I think I’d give just about every penny of that fortune to have my son back. And for the Auburn Tigers to have a winning season next year. Fingers crossed!