Outback in Tampa

We spent New Years day at the Outback Bowl in Tampa. Jan 1, 2000

 Our only child, Lisa died on Nov 30, 1999.

Linda and I had become recluse and depressed.  We were still working but living life was a chore.

My dear friend Royal and his wife Susan insisted we go to the Outback Bowl in Tampa, on New Years Day.  They bought us tickets and insisted.  I didn't realize at the time, it was the best therapy we could have been prescribed. 

 We escaped our grief for a couple hours with new sights, sounds and noise. 

 I could have gone home after the National anthem and been happy. 

 As Charlie Daniels hit the last note of the anthem we were treated to a "flyover" of the stadium by four fighter jets from McDill Airforce base. Immediately after that four sky divers from the base made a dramatic fall to the center of the football field. 

 Very awe inspiring and for few moments we left our world of despair.

 Incidently, there was a football game...won by Penn State.

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