Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't posted much, nut the title is part of why....a few days after our loss against the Vikings -- perhaps even the following Monday, I can't recall--my mother passed away due to stage 4 lung cancer...The reason I post this here and now is that, even though we are losing, I feel strong enough at the moment to let you know that the Bucs were a big part of her peace of mind in her final weeks. I have been living with my father now for over a year, and as my mother was having these tests to detect possible cancer, the one thing that was always a constant was every week, i'd call her. We'd discuss the game and the team it would always lift her spirits, even when we lost, just to get away from her fears and pain awhile...My mother suffered a deep depression and paranoia. She was never easy to talk to without arguing near the end...but when we discussed the Bucs, the anger always stopped. Just knowing I had that to share with her was enough for me to calm her to her senses and remind her i loved her...The cancer was very aggressive, but for a few days, all we knew was that she had an infection on her lung preventing surgery on whatever she had. We decided to pay a visit in case things went sour quickly....they did, but not before I was able to watch one final game with her....our loss to the vikings...she was asleep at the time, but aware. I held her hand and watched the entire game at her side.It wouldn't have mattered that we lost...i know the chance to watch a game with me was all she had wanted.....I am EXTREMELY saddened at our season and my mothers passing, but I want you to know this: My mother loved the Buccaneers and rooted for them deeply. It was our way of finding common ground in the midst of her easily troubled mind...I know some here specifically troll me, and have personally sought to make my life a living hell, calling me an untrue fan and a homer etc...but, I have hurt so much these last several days, and I don't want you all to think i've left or that I don't care. I love this team. My Mother loved this team. It is because of this team we were able to have at least SOME good moments between her mental state collapsing near her end...I need you all to know how much she cared, and how the Bucs help this family...I'm very sad right now, but i'll ALWAYS love the Bucs. I know she would want me to stay positive, despite our season...so I will. And I always will.I just hope this will help you who are also miserable right now know, the team did SOMETHING good for SOMEONE in a time of fear and sorrow...and we will come out of this together.I'm not going anywhere, but I AM very grief-stricken...I may not be on much, but i'm here. Thank you to every one of my friends on here. Y'all are the best.GO BUCS, From Me and Ma.
