I joke about investing $200 in the late 1990's for a share of Packer stock. It has very little value because Packer stock is not traded publicly so there is no market price. I have to admit asking myself, "why would I do this"?
I remember now. As I drove to work in Ripon each Monday, if the Packers had won the day before, there was a magical giddiness that seemed to overcome all employees. There was lots of wasted time around the water cooler or in the lunch room discussing a Packer win but there was always a positive bounce in everybody's step. I can't prove it but productivity actually went up. The two years that the Packers went to the Super Bowl in the late 1990's caused the State of Wisconsin to act like "high schoolers".
Yes, the Packers charge too much for tickets for each game.
Yes, we are inundated with syndicated talk shows such as "The Donald Driver Show" or the "Mike McCarthy Show". But you don't have to watch. Fans tune in to keep the magic of a win going.
Yes, merchandise is available everywhere at outrageous prices.
When the Green Bay Packers win, people are happy! Wisconsites won't admit to being happy. We are German, Polish and Dutch descendents and we wouldn't dare show "happiness". But come on Wisconsin! Admit it! You are happy when the Packers win.
I kept witnessing the phenomenon of happiness from a Packer victory. Why wouldn't I want to own a share of Packer stock and maybe someday have a voice in their future. With all the negative fear in the world, the Packer stock purchase may have been one of the best things I ever did. Hey, I'm happy. I remember now.
If you question my theory, I reference Grasshopper No. 4's coaching escapade this season with his youth football team. With job offers coming at a snails pace, you can make a case for believing that sometimes life sucks. But the youth football team kept developing. The team kept winning. No.4's team won the championship and the world seemed to "be right". Don't tell me a positive sports encounter can't be uplifting.
Yes, I remember now. Being around something positive is special. It is necessary. It is fun.
Love,
Dad