Colts take Bears, Jasper starts school, sniff

Considering I pay attention to American football once a year for only a few days, I shouldn't be too worried about the Colts' Superbowl win and frankly, I'm not. My personal preference would have been a Bears' victory since I love Chicago for a host of reasons. First, several years ago a former colleague and I (after a fabulous dinner with other colleagues) played a gorgeous grand piano in The Ballroom of the original Hilton until the wee hours of the morning. Eventually security kicked us out. Second, being a Kellogg graduate, I favour the Bears. (Jasper, at left, plays with a football in November 2005.)

To be honest, when I was younger I loved football so much I had to ignore the sport. I kid you not. Whenever I watched a football game - live or on TV - I dreamt about football for weeks and often wanted to play on the high school team. Thanks to the regular supply of football-related spinal injuries floating through Toronto hospitals, that dream never came to fruition.

Today as the Superbowl roared on, some buds of mine watched the game at a friend's flat. The rest of us were at work. I sent them text messages like "GO BEARS" while the game was still close. I have to say, though, Kelvin Hayden certainly earned his paycheck after a 56 yard interception that returned a touchdown, putting the Colts way out in front! Talk about buying insurance ... the Bears never recovered. I receded from sending text messages after that but cast a watchful eye to the online coverage.

Saturday evening Tess returned from her US business trip with a funny story about the days leading up to the Superbowl. While she was in transit in Chicago lots of people were naturally flying from Chicago to Indianapolis for The Game. Whenever the attendants announced an Indianapolis-bound flight they'd end off with, "and on this flight to Indianapolis passengers will be given a free box of tissue because after Sunday, you'll need it." Tess' return was met with much cheerleading, with the kids handing out an ample supply of hugs, kisses and we missed you's! (Left, the kids enjoy a video together after welcoming Tess home.)

Meanwhile, Team Caldwell had a day of firsts, too... (the Superbowl was a game of firsts... the first rainy Super Bowl - and one of the messiest with lots of wet and mud - the first time an opening kickoff was run back for a touchdown, the first time the Colts won a Superbowl title since the 1970 season) ... today our touchdown was Jasper's first day of school. The crowds cheered, the crowds cried, while Jasper confidently yet haphazardly waltzed his was into education endzone with Sebastian playing defence. (Left, Sebastian & Jasper pose together in their SWCK smocks before leaving for school.)

As the morning's events unfolded I had several flashbacks, thinking of the ground we'd taken in the past three years with the triplets' upcoming Feb 23rd birthday. Technically, Small World Christian Kindergarten's entry gate is three years old. Jasper is coming in just ahead of the line. The girls are clipping his heals with a March 1 start date.

I also had a flash forward as I realised this was the start of Jasper's formal education. Perhaps some day twenty years down the road - maybe around another momentous education event such as graduation - I'll look back on this day to remember when JJ first began school. I'll remember that it was a gorgeous sunny and clear day in Hong Kong with hardly any pollution. A light breeze tickled the flag flying atop The Governor's House (now the Chief Executive's home). As we drove to Small World we passed Union Church to see our new pastor's wife, Holly, watching the world go by. We waved and smiled. Many changes for many people, not just for Jasper. As so many of us enter a new season in our lives we can't help but feel the sense of anticipation, excitement and accomplishment of what's next, just like the Colts and Jasper probably feel today.

Comments

[B]

Hello MC!

I cannot believe that Jasper's had his first day of school, and that a third birthday is around the corner. Thank you for sharing it pictures of the brothers together. Seb has such a knowing, yet happy smile on his face - he's got a little brother in school now!

PS - while it would have been great to have Chicago win, it would have been incredible if it had been the Cubs, because we're not quite to Spring Training for *baseball* yet. :)

[Louise M]

Congratulations Jasper, hope you enjoy your first steps into the exciting world of education. Hugs to Tess, I am sure she had a few tears...

[lime]

i'd say jasper's day is much more momentous and likely to be recalled than the colts' day. congrats to the little man.

[M]

Jasper's moment is more monumentous than then Colts' -- and you will remember it always! (although I personally am glad they won)....the Superbowl was also historic in that it was the first time the head coaches were black--so that's neat esp in light of the fact that in the US February is Black History month.

[knobody]

poi: people flying to indianapolis weren't going to see the game (except on tv). the game was in miami. see, if you had gone to the game you could have dropped in for lunch! :)

an important, but sad, part of the superbowl this year is it finally gave peyton a win over the gators by defeating rex grossman. *pout*

but most importantly, WAY TO GO jasper! just how exciting is it to be going to school now? did seb show you around and give you the vip treatment? tell us all about your first day when you get a chance!

[Maureen aka Mo aka Grandmother aka Mozilla]

Way to go, JJ!! We are soooo proud of you and you look so grown up in your pictures that Daddy put into his blog. Have fun, Jasper!

Love from, Mo xox

[Granddad Blake]

My son-in-law aka Magnificent Charles a Chicago Bears fan????? Repent now while you still have a chance.
I have alerted the proper authorities to ensure corrective action takes place!!
Go Colts Go.

Love, Blake "Remember Johnny Unitas" Lyons

[Carmi]

I love how you remember the important moments in life. Here's to your son's journey. And to your own.

(And how can he go wrong? He's playing CANADIAN football!)

[Auntie Pammie]

JJ, I am so proud of you! Now if your sisters would master the potty bit you all could be one happy team at school.
Love Auntie P
xo

[PSC]

There was a football game? Go JJ!