The Sugar Bowl

All of us were surprised to hear that the Sugar Bowl had been postponed yesterday.  At first, I assumed that there was a weather issue in Louisiana but was completely shocked when I read that it was because a truck filled with IEDs and guns drove through a crowd of New Year's Eve partygoers on Bourbon Street killing fourteen people before the police took his life.  None of us could believe it and were sad to see that a few of those who died were there to watch the Notre Dame vs. Georgia game.  

Cameron talked a lot about the devastation that occurred yesterday in New Orleans.  Just like Doug and I, he realized that had IU beaten Notre Dame two weeks ago, we would have been on our way to Louisiana New Year's Eve night filled with excitement about the game.  Waking up to the news would have been awful.  Cameron even said that he wouldn't have wanted to go to the game because of the fear that the incident brought out.  Parce must have been feeling the same way as he texted me that in the end maybe it was a good thing that IU lost.

My feelings were the same as Parce and Cameron, but one other thought kept coming to my mind.  The incident was terrible, but I knew if we were there, we wouldn't have been anywhere near Bourbon Street on New Year's.  It would have been too crowded and loud for Doug, Cameron, Parce and I.  I did realize however, who would have been there and that was what scared me the most.  Cal and Jayce would have been right in the middle of the action on New Orleans famed street having the time of their lives.  I would have been incredibly scared and worried had that been the case.  Thus, I felt even worse for the families who lost loved ones last night.  It wasn't the way anyone would want to start the New Year, but it was a good reminder that life can change on a dime.  Thus, we cannot live it in fear and must make the most of it while we can.  That is the best way to honor the senseless tragedy.