Pardon me while I rejoice and celebrate the success of “my” football team, the New Orleans Saints!  Their recent win of the NFC championship and ticket to the Super Bowl is groundbreaking history.  New Orleanians have waited for this day the entire tenure of the franchise’s existence – 44 years!  Practically my entire lifetime, I’m 48 years old.

But you know what, as much as the Saints are deserving of accolades, this blog post is not simply about our team making it to the Super Bowl to beat the Indianapolis Colts’ butts!  This is about all of us.

There was a time when the Saints were infamously referred to as the “Aints”.  Many, many, and I do mean many years they were viewed as a sure win for the opposition.  No matter how bad another’s record was, they felt that they would at least win against the Saints.  People counted us down for the count; down and out.  And this was despite all of the exceptional and great players and coaches that have graced the team.  Much hard and talented work have always gone into the making of our team.  Yet, we never shared the experience that so many have.  Never made it to the Super Bowl.

There was a time when even the long suffering and forever loyal fans were tried, tested, and teased.  This drove them to wearing the bags, feeling disgraced, yet ironically still supportive (if not, they would not have attended the games).  Then, when no one else would believe in the Saints, the fans never stopped.  No matter how bad, ugly, or hopeless the season turned out, fans still believed.  They kept the faith!

Do you see yourself yet in this?  Is there anything remotely familiar to you?  This might not be about your favorite sports team, but maybe you see nuggets of your life here.  Perhaps you see your life (your job, your relationships, your family, etc.) even today.

Because the New Orleans Saints (and the fans) know what was like to be the “Aints”, they can celebrate hardily and earnestly.  It’s taken, literally, a lifetime to finally “make it”.

Can you remember an “Aints” period?  Maybe you’re in such a time now.  I say to you, don’t ever give up. Even when it looks bleak, hopeless, and impossible.  Keep going, keep striving, keep pushing, keep believing!  Don’t listen to the nay sayers, for they will most definitely zap you of any energy you have to persevere.  Don’t be distracted or deterred by the circumstances or by what you see.  You can make it!  You WILL make it!

The Saints’ success means more than just a win for the team.  It signifies and symbolizes the struggles of the people and city of New Orleans, particularly since Hurricane Katrina.  Most importantly, it demonstrates our resilience, will, strength, and ability to triumph over obstacles thrown in our way.  Personally, as the Saints were winning game after game this season on their road to the Super Bowl, I felt a sense of hope for my own self; for my own life.   They gave me a shot of enthusiasm and confidence that I needed to go on.

Trouble don’t last always.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is possible to see it.  Hold your head up, even during those times that you may feel disgraced.  Know that falling short of the mark, and even losing the game, doesn’t put you out of the game.  The crown, the trophy, the victory, is still yours to claim.  Trust yourself and believe in yourself.  But most of all, trust God and never lose faith in Him.

Congratulations to my New Orleans Saints!  I don’t know what the outcome of Super Bowl 44 will be on Sunday, but in my book, you are already victorious.  My love for you will never cease.

Carla Y. Nix