Miami University Redskin &
Walt Whitman Viking (1981 - 1988)
When my dad made this stain glass tribute to my football career I was grateful but little did I know how much significance and meaning it would hold for me later in life. I was so different back then, such a different person and I see things now that then I was oblivious. The imperfections, the cracks, rough edges and crocked lines were things I ignored and I was a little taken back as to why my unimpressive achievements were worth a memorial. Especially in light of what he had accomplished in the sport. In fact, I was downright ashamed of my Miami football experience and wished to put it behind me. Surviving a very disappointed Coach Rose for four years to graduate is not much to brag about, but he thought it was. Now over twenty years later I see the imperfections as everything he had to overcome and learn and to be able to create such a thing of beauty with so much sentimental meaning after what he'd been through just leaves me in awe. He had had two major strokes by then and using this new stainglassing hobby as physical therapy to help increase his dexterity was not only genius but down right unbelievable. I'm sure my crafty mom had something to do with it. Later in life he would throw a paper route and brag how throwing papers out the driver side window with his left hand made his once crippled arm stronger than his right.
Looking at this piece of art and I cannot think of or remember him ever making me anything else. He made a hell of a toast at my wedding, but something he crafted from scratch, created from nothing, this is it. Well maybe I am it and my brother too.
