My Oklahoma Joe.
Ten years ago this October, I spent 10 days in Oklahoma City.
I was in an operating room witnessing my son’s birth.
After the first few tense, traumatic days — when it became clear that chances swung in our favor that we would take him home to Georgia — my husband flew home on Delta and I waited with Joe.
In Oklahoma City.
Until the intrastate adoption committee said we could also run to the airport and fly home.
I remember riding along some freeway, looking out across the vast, flat, stubby-tree landscape and seeing —
a monstrous, boiling cloud miles wide plowing through everything and everyone.
Of course, that day all was clear and bright. The tornado that swirled and churned was only in my imagination but I felt like it was as much a part of the landscape as the University of Oklahoma.
We had driven that day to Norman to kill time and poke around the OU football stadium.
For that is what I do when stressed to the max.
Go find something familiar like college football.
For when one thinks of Oklahoma, what jumps to mind?
The Sooners.
Well, the Sooners and tornadoes.
Tonight ten years later, I look at my Oklahoma Joe and am so very sad.
As a boy I pulled for the Sooners. Their coach was Bud Wilkinson and even though he was originally from Minnesota and I was from Mississippi I felt a kinship. After he left Oklahoma I no longer felt obliged to root for them and shifted my allegiance closer to home. Today, I think about Oklahoma and pray for their victory; not on the football field but in the more serious and consequential game of life.
I remember the Switzer years. I used to pull for Tom Osborne over the Sooners — except when they had JC Watts. I like him. From the little I remember Norman just south of OKC. Like going from here to Athens.
My heart breaks for the people of Oklahoma , such a tragedy
[…] My Oklahoma Joe. […]
This is both beautiful and sad. I lived in Oklahoma for 12+ years but I did have better taste in football teams! 🙂
It’s funny Robbie. When we were out there that year it was Bedlam weekend. And during a crisis in the whole process a nurse, Daphne, with an OSU lanyard saved the day. My husband and I always think of Daphne whenever we see OSU and are forever grateful.
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