Go Cougars!!! Counsel from Uncle Brandon

I'll be honest I have a huge void in my life and heart that won't stop aching. The aching slowly subsides until someone says, "BYU was so close. If ..." and the the heartache returns. It's the "ifs" that are killing me and I literally have to pray to be able to let go.

Yes, that may sound pathetic and it is but it has made me realize I need to have other things to fill my life and not put all my "eggs in one basket" That egg was just cracked and I had nothing left.

This year's basketball team was a little different since we hadn't had a team this good since Danny Ainge and we truly did control our own destiny. I still believe we could be playing VCU right now to get into the National Championship game. (get over it already) The Gators didn't beat us. We beat ourselves and that's what hurts. I wish we would have lost by 20 so I could sleep at night.

Everyone keeps telling me that we won't have another season like that for probably another thirty years which initially made me sad but then I went and visited my cute niece who happens to live in Provo, UT also known as Cougar Town, and it gave me hope.

She is already an avid BYU fan and is headed down the deep dark, yet wonderful path that I was set upon when I was a little lad about her age. I've posted a video and a few photos below of her true blue enthusiasm.

Emme showing us how a true cougar fan cheers.


The initial brainwashing to the development of a true fan.
I think she has her own testimony now! I'm so proud of you Emme.)

Dear Emmeline (and all my other nieces and nephews),

As your uncle I would like to let you know that you are blessed to be brought up in households that cheer for the greatest school on earth. You are already a spoiled fan as BYU has won numerous National Championships in a variety of sports including football (and dance?) Their soccer, racquetball, rugby and lacrosse teams are exceptional and their men's volleyball team is Top 5 every year. BYU is the only school in the country from 2006-2009 to have their football program win 10+ games and their basketball program to have 20+ wins in a season. Again, we come from a winning tradition and therefore are spoiled fans and we always expect to win.

With this knowledge I would like to impart upon you three bits of advice.

1. DO NOT be a fair weathered fan. Be a fan or don't but when we have a losing season or a rebuilding year don't give up and make sure you support your team through rain, snow and the occasional loss.
2. DO NOT be a bandwagon fan. Don't jump on a "Jimmer" train just because jimmermania comes to town. Be true blue before the season starts. (even if it means watching BYU beat up teams like Chicago State 109-60 which they did at the beginning of the year.)_
3. The most important advice of all. Don't get too emotionally attached or your heart will be broken. Broken hearts can be very damaging to a relationship and as much as I love BYU it's not as important as your family relationships.

Now after having received that counsel I just want all of you to know that you are always welcome at Uncle Brandon's house to watch any BYU game that is televised locally and hopefully that will be much more frequent. (Yeah for BYUTV!)

Love,

Uncle Brandon