Heavy Heart

As I prepare for tonight's blog hop, I have a heavy heart. My alma mater - Oklahoma State University - lost two of our own yesterday in a plane crash. Coach Kurt Budke and Coach Miranda Serna were killed yesterday on a recruiting trip when their plane went down. There were no survivors. I just this moment found out the pilot and his wife are from Ponca City, Oklahoma - 15 minutes from where I live. This is de-ja-vouix for the Orange and Black. Just in January, we remembered the 10 who were lost in a plane crash 10 years ago on their way home from a men's basketball game.

Coach Budke and Coach Serena, you now join the 10

 we will never forget - 

Nathan Zane Fleming, Pat Noyes, William Ransom Hancock III, William "Bill" B. Teegins, Daniel Paul Lawson Jr., Jared Grant Weiberg, Brian Wayne Luinstra, Kendall Carlton Durfey, Denver Ray Mills, and Bjorn Gunnar Fahlstrom!

What is Orange?

Orange is that day that you moved into the dorms as a freshman w/ lines for the elevator.

It’s meeting those friends that would stick with you for life. 

It’s remembering those dorm buildings, even though they may not be there anymore.

It’s wearing orange the Friday before the first game & every Friday after that. 

It’s KURT BUDKE, MIRANDA SERNA, Barry Sanders, John Smith, Garth Brooks, Mike Gundy, Eddie Sutton… it’s you and me. 

Orange is putting your arm around the shoulder of the stranger next to you to sing the Alma Mater. 

It’s making the switch to saying “Power” instead of “Orange.” 

It’s remembering Lewis Field & admiring Boone Pickens Stadium. 

It’s knowing that it’s left hand up to make an “S.” 

Orange is when it’s good for a Cowboy First Down and Ten. 

Orange is Pistols Firing – Touchdown Oklahoma State. 

It’s “...O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A Oklahoma STATE” no matter where you are when the state song is played.

It’s the big smile on your face when you walk past the orange fountain. 

It’s going back to the place you worked in college & remembering it as the best job you ever had even though it paid the least. 

It’s a cabinet full of Joe’s cups. 

Orange is knowing that it’s time to go home when you hear “New York, New York” or “Shoulda Been a Cowboy.” 

Orange is the one you tried to let down easy & the one you’ll never forget. 

Orange is wanting to get out of Stillwater for four years & spending the rest of your life wanting to go back.

Proud and Immortal,

Bright shines your name.

Oklahoma State,

We herald your fame.

Ever you’ll find us,

Loyal and true.

To our Alma Mater

O – S – U!!!!

Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo