Much, much harder than I thought to "get away from & let go of" the story of the weekend. The University and the town are very much a part of our daily lives. Yes, we attend athletic events and functions on campus, including football games, but we also have surgery at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, go to Drs. appts, shop at Wegman's, eat at The Waffle Shop, make deliveries on and off campus, attend the Arts Festival, shop downtown, pick up out of town guests at the airport, visit lifelong friends and family and so on and so on.
Penn State (the University) IS State College (the town) and State College IS Penn State. Some beg to differ and some try to change and there are some separations and differences but for the most part they are ONE! Thousands share this same feeling. One can't visit campus or town without feeling a touch of the Blue and White pride and seeing Joe Pa (in real life or photos) somewhere around town. We've never taken that for granted and appreciate it even more now.
Today was to be a regular Monday for my Mom and Dad. (They frequent State College more than we do...that is saying something too!) A normal, Monday trip to Mt. Nittany, for check-ups with Drs. they've had for years, through many surgeries and health issues. These Drs. happen to be the same Drs. who cared for Joe. (Kinda neat to know that you are no different than Joe and can have the same high level of care that he had at no extra charge!) Visits have been heartwrenching since Nov. when news of the scandal broke. The staff showed concern in quiet conversation, all the while supporting Joe and his actions. Today's visit, according to Mom and Dad, was far more than heartwrenching. An entire hospital and staff, solemn, quiet, sad, grieving, mourning and sharing in disbelief, the loss of a person they have cared for, admired and loved for so long. Definitely not something you would expect in a larger hospital that cares for thousands of patients daily in numerous ways. I mentioned to mom and dad that they may want to plan an alternate route to the hospital just in case the normal route past Beaver Stadium and Joe's statue was blocked off. They agreed, but I KNEW they would attempt the normal route anyway. You just don't go to Mt. Nittany and NOT go past Beaver Stadium to check on Joe! (Change{of a 25 year habit}...is HARD!) So, of course they went the normal route.... and OF COURSE, they stopped to pay respect to Joe and share in the widespread out pouring of love for him....and I am so glad they did!!!!! My parents remind me alot of Joe and his family. Strong morals and values, sound ethics, hard working, humble, sincere, honest, faithful, considerate, appreciative, quiet samaritans who do good because it's right & not to get attention, teachers, coaches, parents and leaders. Thankful they are my mom and dad.
So many good family memories at this field and all over campus. We've adapted to changes at the stadium and on campus over the years without much question. This change makes things different though and that word "change" keeps cropping up. Although I am trying to "embrace" the change...this one is VERY difficult. So glad my Mom and Dad introduced Penn State to our family at an early age and that we experienced the Joe Pa years on campus. He has taught so much, to so many, in life and now even in death. The IMPACT of his life will live forever...THAT is his LEGEND. It will only be tarnished if we allow it to be. HIS LEGEND is inspiring and THAT gives faith and hope to us. He taught us even through his tragedy. Presidents don't do that...or at least they haven't for a while! What a lesson of integrity, honor, humanity and loyalty.
Our local paper caught Jeff early this morning while seeking public response to Joe's death. I'll remind you this is LOCAL news, close to home and Joe. His response is synomous with thousands
of others all over Pennsylvania. The National Media has not published these responses though and we find that very sad. To be "used" (as a person, university, town, community and state) by the media is a disgrace. To publish misleading, misguided, false information and accusations for the purpose of gaining readers and increasing cash flow at the expense of such an outstanding person and family is ridiculous and shameful. But that is a political discussion that I won't get into in this post.
For now, we'll make our regular visits to State and campus and appreciate the fact that we have experienced and shared in something great. Something that has molded us and made us better people. Something that will hopefully help us work for the greater good and impact others lives.
I'll have more to share later and hope to move forward with a few of those video's and projects I had planned to share this past weekend. Thank you for allowing me to post these thoughts.
Hugs to you all!
Staci
