The entire history of unmitigated joy in Buffalo bouncing around in my head as we walk around Elmwood on the first fall day this summer. Gray families wearing cable knit sweaters tailgating in front of the Co-Op and talking about their favorite Sabres games: May Day, May Day. An overtime winner against the Bruins when I was too young to fully understand the magnitude of the moment.
In our lives they don’t come around that much but when they do, we’re forever changed. A soundtrack on the top shelf where mama hides the cookies and whenever we need to make ourselves feel better, we just have to reach up, peel back our memories and listen to the city we love and the only voice bringing it all together.
Oh Rick I’m gonna cry now trying to pick out ice cream at Billionaire Creamery. So many songs flooding back to me, even the ones I didn’t have ears for: the French Connection, all that fog, everything from the 80s. I remember when we fought devils until the wee hours of the morning, did my best but couldn’t last. Fast asleep when Hannan finally pushed them back to where Jimmy Hoffa is.
I was more of a red and black kid anyway. Me and all my friends putting on goatheads and paying tribute to Peca and Hasek. How we learned to be acrobatic when the world rushes at you, a miracle every time you stop it. And of course I cried a lot when Hull’s foot was in the crease, holes in our hearts that will never be filled. But at least you were there with us and we never felt alone.
And as the years went by, things got better. The population of Pomvinville going up when I was in love for the first time and partying day and night and kissing her every time we scored. And we were so good those couple of seasons. The cardiac kids always bringing us back from the brink: Briere and Drury and Miller and when Campbell destroyed Umberger, I remember I dropped my drink and I’ll never forget the shape the splatter made. It looked like a future full of championships.
But things didn’t go as planned. Everyone left town. Our heroes, our lovers, and so we learned how to live life aboard a sinking ship. Better off for it I guess. It builds character and we always had your enthusiasm to get us through the dark times. Eichel turning his back on us, all the empty seats, a sort of hopelessness and never getting over it.
The future is bright though. A team on the rise. I just wish you were here when we win it all. But you will be, won’t you Rick? Calling the games for the superfans who have passed and as today’s sun sets all we can do is eat ice cream and be thankful for your voice. For your sweetness. For telling our story.
Lead image: Rick Jeanneret, Photo Sabres.com