Is the past glorified?

[OzMavs]

I just remember so vividly the stories that my grandfather would tell me. Stories about the war, hardships, about kicking a football made of rolled up newspapers, hand me down shoes, no transport, the depression must have all been really hard times, but he never seemed to complain about these sort of things much. Rather, he seemed to relish letting me know these things.

Sometimes, I shudder to think how far things have come, I read a message from another board:

I am writing this letter to bigfooty.com on behalf of a man known to you as Oldfashioned Supporter. He has been sending in occasional letters for about two months and has been a mad keen football fan for almost 70 years. Unfortunately OFS passed away peacefully in his sleep last Monday week. For the previous weeks he has probably known his days were numbered and he asked me to send this letter in the event of his passing. His message to you all is very simple. Support your football club whoever it may be, support it loyally and cleanly, support it financially, support it with manual support if necessary, but also have a good word for your opponent if they beat you fair and square. In other words, recognise football for what it is - a sport.

OFS not only enjoyed football, he loved cricket as well, played tennis until aged 66, bowls in the past ten years and even touched for a while on a bit of croquet. OFS was one of nature's gentlemen and all those who knew him did not have a bad word for him. He was a sincere "good sport" and he always hoped that everyone else interested in sport would be the same, after all, these things are really only a game (not like the war he fought in and almost died in). OFS had a wealth of sporting knowledge which unfortunately has gone with him. His family and friends will miss him deeply. Unfortunately bigfooty.com did not get to know him long enough to suffer the same sadness.

OFS's friend

I also read a whole host of stories about this guy's experiences in the war. It just got me thinking.

[Chiwas]

I went to bed last night thinking in your post, Ozzy.

It has a lot of messages. Makes one open more room to learn and improve as a person.

Thanks for sharing it.