disclaimer: I wrote this while slightly intoxicated and I did not edit it. Everything is from the heart as it is said in stream of thought. Don't crucify me.
Yes, we've promised you news. It hasn't come about. That's my fault because quite frankly, I wasn't ready to give the news. My personal apologies.
Here's what it is as of this moment: there is a FIFA World Cup Final that I will likely never be able to live through again. I dreamt of this moment...in my dreams. I NEVER thought for a second that the USA would meet Japan in a final ever in my life. For obvious reasons, I never saw it in the men's game. That being said, I never thought that I would see the Japanese women's team in a final against my country.
I have only cheered against Japan twice in my life before. Once was in a men's friendly before the 2006 World Cup where I saw Taylor Twellman score one helluva goal. The other time was in the 2008 Olympics where the men beat the Japanese in group stages.
I have always wished well for the Japanese team. If I didn't, that's just not fair. To this day, I wish only the best for the Japanese teams as long as they are not playing mine.
That being said, I am American. American I am, and American I will be until the day that I am called to my end. I am an American who has chosen to be an immigrant in Japan, and I love this country.
I have suffered through trying to understand the cultural differences in the beginning, I met my wife here, I have built my life here, and I love this country more than any of my friends back home will ever understand. My old buddies who have spoken to me recently will attest to that. I miss my old country, but I can't complain because this is the life I have chosen.
I now find myself on a fence that I never thought I'd be on; Japan is in the final against my country.
My wife and I have been going back and forth for the past couple of days talking about how good our teams are and how our preferred team is going to pound the other into the ground. I love it - it's good banter and I love doing it, it's fun.
If i seem like I'm digressing I apologize, I am slightly entoxicated and I feel like my emotions are taking control of me, so I take out my aggressions out on my keyboard. Let me get to the point.
A) I cheered Japan as they beat the crap out of my most hated enemy late in the evening and my wife enjoyed it with me (probably not as much as I did)
B) As the time grew closer and closer, I prayed for a Japan-USA final because I knew that this is most likely the only time it would ever happen.
C) I'm not sure what you people were expecting, but when I go to watch this game, I will shake hands with all of the Japanese supporters there, and whoever wins, I will shake their hands afterwards.
I'm sure that there will be trash talked in the in-between time, but I hold nothing against this country outside of the 90 or 120 minutes of this game.
I love this country. It has taken great care of me in one of the darkest hours of my life and I have nothing but appreciation for it. I am more than sure that any other American who supports our Lady Yanks will say the same thing.
All in all, I am blessed to be a Yank having grown up as I have, and I am an even more blessed Yank for having the freedom, ability, and experience to come over to an equally blessed country to meet my wife and have my child here.
Thank you Japan, I will only go against you for the length of this game...USA!! USA!! USA!!
