On Brett Favre

They say that pain brings people together. I used to think that's just a nice way of rephrasing the good ol' cliche: "misery loves company". But I have learned that my pain has given me two important "gifts": First, being in pain has helped me understand a little better the pain of others. Secondly, being in pain has given me a sense of "commaraderie" with others who are in pain, thus teaching me that we are more alike than we are different.

Take this whole Brett Favre thing for example...

For those who are not familiar with the story, Brett Favre was the super star quarterback of the Green Bay Packers who retired at the end of last season. Since then he has decided to "unretire" only to discover that his old team has decided to move on with a new younger quarterback. After spending practically his entire career (16 years) with this one team, Favre felt he deserved to either be welcomed back or be allowed to leave and play for someone else. The team looked at the situation differently. The whole situation grew into a soap opera that hopefully will be resolved soon. Now, on one level, obviously Brett Favre and I share very little in common:

He can throw a football 50 yards. I can hardly run 50 yards.

He gets paid millions to play football. I can only dream of winning millions playing the lottery.

He is charming and good looking, especially for a man a little older.

Well...

I guess we do share something in common. :)

But what caught my eye when I was reading up on the story last week was what Favre's old coach said after meeting and talking with him for 6 hours. It was reported:

"Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday evening that after approximately six hours of what he called 'brutally honest' conversations with Favre...Favre couldn't seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened..."

For some reason, that last sentence stopped me in my tracks.

Last year, I would have been just like millions of sports fans and conclude that Favre is just another one of those super star, super rich, super spoiled professional athelete who is acting like a cry baby. I would have joined the "chorus of boos" and said "Whatever...just let it go already!"

But now, when I read what the Packers coach said about Favre's situation, about him not being able to get past his "emotional wounds", somehow, I felt a strange...connection.

Favre has played for Green Bay for approximately the same number of years I have given to my church. Him: 16 years. Me: 17.

I understand what it feels like when that relationship turns sour when you thought you can count on it.

I understand that sometimes, emotional wounds can run so deep, that it's almost inconceivable where or how or when healing can ever take place.

I can understand why everyone else wonders why I cannot just "get past" it or "move on" or "let it go"....because I have wondered about the same thing.

The Old Chinese saying goes: "Until the needle pricks your own flesh, you don't know pain."

Now that I've been "pricked"...I know.