Historically, football has always connected generations of my family. Additionally, this past weekend brought us together again, giving Matty time with his cousins and the shared excitement. I traveled to Michigan to meet my son Matty. Friday evening began with a bang under the bright lights in Saline, Michigan. Matty joined his cousin Tommy Carr for a high school football game. Beautiful facilities, a packed stadium and an enthusiastic crowd offered a memorable introduction to the community spirit of Friday night football. Saline capped the evening with a 42–21 victory over River Rouge.     A flat tire on my rental car delayed my arrival until the second half. When I finally got there, Matty was down on the field...

Piers left in a broken-down state. A glimpse of the past, of days once great. Made from wood taken from trees. Then taken down by the strength of the seas.   Once kept busy, bait for sale. If only they used longer nails. No more fish caught on the line. The pier not standing the test of time.   A bridge thought built strong to last, gone in a snap, way too fast. Built with strength and meant to stay. A structure now left to wither away.   Next time we'll be better prepared. Now the pier just left unrepaired. We don't always get what we intend. Sometimes mistakes are never to mend.   Blown away in the wind, like a feather. We learn from this, next time to be better. But perhaps this was never meant to be, Pointing outward into...