Written by Sports Culture isn’t always demonstrated in the flesh; occasionally, there are traditions that exemplify how sports can bring people together otherwise … for example … a game of Madden Football every Thanksgiving Morning for 16 years in a row. (This article is about my brother and I, and to be clear, I have been the reigning Champ for 7 years, until I was defeated several days ago)
My brother tragically passed away two years ago, and Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday, so I made the decision to keep this tradition going and find new challengers. In my mind, he watches the whole thing and laughs at our mistakes. Together, my close friends and I created a trophy to pass on to the next winner. I won’t lie, I was quite possessive of the trophy for two Thanksgivings until I lost to my cousin, Seth Thompson last Thursday … by one point, seriously.
San (my brother) and I have been through “hell and high water,” so to speak. But for some reason this tradition was my favorite. When you wake up at 6 in the morning to start this game, your whole family is together for the Holidays, the smell of turkey in the oven … and we are just kicking each other’s asses in a game of Madden. (And seriously, we got into the moment … people, this was no joke) To me, that is more exceptional of an experience, and more beautiful of an experience than traditional sports.
I loved my brother very much. And Sports brought the never ending “brotherly competitiveness” so to speak. It also brought more love and happiness to everyone around us, (I’m actually tearing up writing this) … forged a bond that just simply can’t be put into words. Sports Culture can solidify a family; be good to one another and cherish the precious moments you have with them.
I love you San. As always, cheers to Sports.
Pictured above left to right, a generation of the Hensh Family: Paul Hensh Sr., his son, Paul Hensh Jr., and his sons, Jacob Hensh and Nathaniel “San” Hensh.