{"id":10585,"date":"2020-04-21T23:29:30","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T03:29:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=10585"},"modified":"2020-04-21T23:34:36","modified_gmt":"2020-04-22T03:34:36","slug":"still-focused-on-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=10585","title":{"rendered":"still focused on perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cAnd with the first selection in the 2002 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select David Carr, quarterback, from Fresno State\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then it continued\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Panthers pick Julius Peppers from North Carolina.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lions draft Joey Harrington from Oregon.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the Bills take Mike Williams, an offensive tackle from Texas\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon followed the selections of Quentin Jammer, Dwight Freeney, Jeremy Shockey and more.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we continue to encourage the maintaining of perspective \u2014 recognizing how valuable and vital that is, especially at this time \u2014 and acknowledging first for our non-sports enthusiasts, that this post is not about football <\/strong>nor the building of any team\u2019s desired roster \u2014 allow me a brief epilogue to Sunday\u2019s conversation. Sunday was a post pointing out the challenge of each of our plights, the steady prudence of being sensitive to one another knowing such in no way minimizes our individual struggles, but acknowledging how wise one is to be aware of the bigger situation \u2014 of the entirety of all that\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I referenced spending most of the month of March of 2002 in the cardiac ICU wing. Josh had a hole in his heart that prior to repair, found in him a perilous situation, as he struggled with a nasty, respiratory virus. Also keenly comparable to the current societal situation, once able to breathe on his own again, we were officially quarantined until the surgical repair was complete several weeks later. For both the respiratory virus and the repair, we were in ICU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who\u2019ve been fortunate enough to avoid the intensive care unit, allow me to concisely describe it as a solemn, solitary place. It\u2019s the area reserved for the patients in need of the most critical care. Their illness or injury is perceived to be life-threatening or severe, thus requiring close and constant care and supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Few \u2014 if any \u2014 are allowed to visit. If so, visitors may only congregate in designated areas, far removed from patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suffice it to say, it can be a most lonely time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I remember sitting long days alone in that room\u2026 my infant son gravely struggling\u2026 my spouse wrestling with a cold that distressingly negated his visitation\u2026 no others allowed in\u2026 talking to God far more than anyone\u2026 if I\u2019m honest, even struggling with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And somewhere in that process, maybe when I was finally doing more listening than talking, I felt prompted to be a little more intentional in my gratitude\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this crazy, isolated, unwanted time, what can I still give thanks for?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, I quietly then noticed what weekend it was. It was time for the National Football League\u2019s annual amateur draft. Now allow me to be clear\u2026 while an avid sports fan, I had never watched the NFL draft. Sure, I paid attention to the more noteworthy selections, but sitting down and actually watching this marathon television event had never been something I desired nor was even all that interested in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Except in 2002, in an event that goes on (and on and on),<\/em> here now was something constant to keep me interested and encouraged\u2026 something emitting a little extra hope in the room\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 with pick 259, the Detroit Lions select Victor Rogers, a tackle from the University of Colorado\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 pick 260 sends Dominique Stevenson to the Buffalo Bills\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and with the final selection of the 2002 NFL Draft, UNLV\u2019s Ahmad Miller heads to the Houston Texans!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I watched all 7 rounds\u2026 all 261 picks\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow evening begins the 2020 NFL Draft. 18 years later. I can\u2019t wait. Is it because I have now developed this zealous, fanatic interest in professional football??<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But more so it does two things\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It makes me think of the perspective gleaned all those years ago\u2026 and it again reminds me of\u00a0the profound effect giving gratitude can have on one\u2019s disposition \u2014 even in crazy, isolated, and unwanted times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AR
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cAnd with the first selection in the 2002 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select David Carr, quarterback, from Fresno State\u2026\u201d And then it continued\u2026 The Panthers pick Julius Peppers from North Carolina. The Lions draft Joey Harrington from Oregon. And the Bills take Mike Williams, an offensive tackle from Texas\u2026 Soon followed the selections of … <\/p>\n

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