A Change of Plans

I just don't know what I am going to do today. It's ironic, because for 297 days I knew exactly what I would be doing today- watching the Denver Broncos play in the AFC Championship Game with a Super Bowl berth on the line. I expected it. I planned it. I looked forward to it. But, now plans have changed.
On March 21, 2012 the Denver Broncos announced they had signed quarterback Peyton Manning to a 5-year, $96 million contract. The idea was to bring a Super Bowl championship back to the Mile High City and the state of Colorado. The Broncos expected it. Fans expected it. Even Manning himself expected it. "We're gonna do whatever we can to win right now. That's all I'm thinking about right now," Manning said at the time. Ever since that day I have been planning and scheming and visualizing how this day would go - what I would eat, what I would wear, where I would sit, and how the game would end.

Of course, everything changed  last week when the Broncos were upset by the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Everybody's plans changed. The Broncos', Peyton's, and mine.

I guess I will still be watching the AFC Championship game on television between the Ravens and the Patriots. But it just won't be the same. There will be no jumping up and down. There will be no cheering and no screaming at incompetent officials. There will be no special football food. It will be just another football game, void of the emotion and enjoyment that comes from watching Peyton Manning and company march down the field for a thrilling  touchdown. Or seeing Von Miller throw another helpless quarterback merciless to the ground.
Yes, indeed,  after 297 days of planning, my plans have changed.

At least this week I know that my heart won't be broken. That's one thing I can plan on. And just for the record, I'm already making my plans for 365 days from now.