Will He Seek Me Out September 20,
2023
Somehow I instinctively new that I would be destined to sit at that table.
A small piece of paper taped to the glass read, Gumby's Seat. Of course,
Gumby is no longer with us, joining Dennis Green in his days of glory back at
Harrisburg High under the legend George Chaump,
hearing those immortal words, "If you're not trying to cheat ... then
you're not trying to win". Now it's all a memory, as the American
Dream diner no longer exists, and all those poignant stories of yesterday are
now blown to the winds. Today, those tails are a thick as peanut butter
stuck to the roof of my imagination.
One of Gumby's stories directly attached him to my hip. This story caused
me a great deal of consternation ... along with pain & anguish.
You see Gumby wore
a Minnesota Vikings jacket & hat which meant that I'd be drawn to him
instinctively. Of course I wasn't invited into his group as I was too
young & just didn't fit within his group but I was determined. Many
years prior the American Dream proudly framed a picture of Korey Stringer which
somehow solidified me as somewhere someone felt a great loss too ... where maybe
I could help ease some of that pain ... but it became a sign like "Free
Beer Tomorrow" which just kept me coming back to this restaurant ... until
the picture just disappeared one day. It just became additional fuel ...
to incessantly drive me onward ... to see what would eventually evolve.
So one day, I just got the gumption at sat myself down at this table. At
first, only Gumby was at his table where I asked him, "Do you ever think
the Vikings would win that elusive Title?" He balked ... but I
insisted. He was going to have to speak with me. He did ... but he
was guarded. What he understood was that I was an unusual entity & he
sensed something in me because I badgered him. He let me know that he
wasn't where I was however he knew that I needed to know where he'd been.
Eventually, I just got the gumption of sitting down at his table surrounded by
all his Harrisburg High alum where they all just reacted as expected.
Again, I was determined, where one in that group finally asked ... "What
are you doing here?" As if to say, are you lost? My answer was
clear and concise ... "I love to hear all those stories". At
first they didn't know what to do, or how to handle me, but in time those
wonderful stories would just flow like beer at a well attended
party.
Gumby tried to tell me that he really wasn't a Minnesota Viking's fan however he
had very close ties with Dennis Green. What Dennis did is fly a ground of
his Harrisburg High Alum to Minnesota ... all expenses paid by Dennis
Green. Maybe that was true ... maybe it wasn't, but that's the
story. From there it would be one story after another.
So, why was this so important? Because once I became The Vikings Ghost Writer
(and under another pen name) and started writing all of these articles, I had
instinctively known that I could never go to what is my Mecca. To stand
next to home plate knowing that I would be standing within the original
Metropolitan Stadium. I would forgo my dream if I could somehow steer this
ship to where it wants to be. I would sacrifice myself.
My wife would ask, "Do you want to go to see a game in
Minnesota" I wouldn't tell her no, instead I would tell her that I
can't (I wouldn't be welcome there). My son tried to do the same, with the
same result. I have flown all over the United States ... but never to
Minneapolis/St. Paul. I can't get on a plane. I can't drive to
Minnesota. I can't take a Trailway's or any other method that is well
within my hand. I can only dream.
Now don't get me wrong, I have been at several key integral games: To witness
Thielen Fly, or to witness Kirk Cousin's pass (when he played for Washington
under his second tag) that brought him to Minnesota. This makes no mention
of being on the 50 yard line in the hear of Bills Mafia to witness what would be
the most epic contest in our history. What followed was 80" of snow
in Orchard Park that pushed the Bill's on to two games in
Detroit.
Money I have ... Super Bowl Titles ... I have not!
So the question on the table is ... exactly what will this organization do to
achieve it's first title. The answer is as absurd as some young kid paling
around with the heart of the Oakland A's (back in the days of Vida Blue &
Reggie Jackson). Was the kid running the show?
The reoccurring dream has Mark seeking me out for his brother. Somehow
Mark has to find the way to break the spell. Mark has to witness me
standing next to home plate at the mall of America, pouring a shot glass full of
fine bourbon whiskey & placing it on home plate. Mark has to witness
me pouring a 2nd shot glass of that fine bourbon whiskey and placing that shot
glass right on the center of the 50 yard line. Once this is completed ...
we just walk away & leave it behind. The gesture is in tribute to
something we just don't understand however if some text written upon a slab of
rock is the basis of all that became the creation of this Viking's franchise ...
then there needs no further explanation.
However, it shall just remain a dream. From my end, I can do nothing but
sit & just wonder. Such a silly & outrageous dream ... like having
Randy Moss return. How absurd was that.
Will he seek me out? How absurd is that. My wife would never believe
it.
What I can tell you is that all those bronze busts in Canton do speak to each
other. Dennis Green & Bud Grant are now along side my mother &
father and all my loved ones that are now standing around & amongst the
infinite ... asking the simple question ... Why? Along with so many others
the pleas have become a din. Something has changed ... ease his
pain.
I shall go back to sleep now ... to dream. So much money ... So much
change.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: September 21, 2023
