For Ron
- bearclawupdates
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 8
My grandmother sent me a gift for my 30th birthday this past year. It came in a frustratingly large amount of bubble wrap and tape. After what felt like thirty minutes, I was finally able to uncover what she had sent me. It was Bears memorabilia, owned by my grandfather Ron. I was never too close with my grandfather. I didn’t spend a lot of time with him. What little time I did spend with him as a child was usually begging to drive their golf cart around the retirement community. A retirement community outside of Lakeland FL that has little to offer children around the age of 10 (maybe 8? 9? It feels like it was ages ago).
They did have “The Mummy” starring Brendan Frasier on VHS to check-out from the town hall. That was pretty sweet. Probably watched it on repeat.
As I got older, I stopped seeing my grandfather as much.
Ron Heimlich passed away while I was in college. I did not attend the funeral. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Jacksonville Illinois.
I don’t know much about Ron Heimlich. Well, I know the bits and pieces from my early childhood; I remember he had a traveling briefcase for making Old Fashioneds. My dad has told me the odds and ends of stories from his childhood; Ron loved to golf at his local Country Club. There are other stories my dad has told me but that’s an article for a different time, a different blog. I also know that Ron was a Chicago Bears fan. I know that even though he couldn’t stand going into the city, he always enjoyed the one-off company sponsored Bears game. I know that my dad remembers watching the Bears with him. He may have been a St. Louis Cardinals fan (we’ll let it slide), but he was a Chicago Bears football fan.
When I looked at what my grandmother sent me, I almost laughed. It’s a framed photo of Bears legend Brian Urlacher. He’s smiling ear to ear holding the NFC Championship trophy. In the corner of the matting there is a small square of leather. A genuine piece of the game-used football from that day. Now, I say I almost laughed because not only was this the second piece of Bears gear I was sent (the first being a shot glass), but because it reminded me of how long it had been since the Bears won the NFC. It has been 20 long, long years.
This Saturday, the Chicago Bears stand at the base of an arduous climb to the top of the NFC. We start the wild card round against our bitter rivals, the Green Bay Packers. Thank God its at Soldier Field. IF we advance (knock on wood) we’re rewarded with the 49er’s or the Eagles. Woof.
I’m not sure what is going to happen this upcoming Saturday night. Jordan Love is back, but he’ll be rusty. Rome Odunze is back, but he’ll also be rusty. Our Left Tackle is weak, but somehow Caleb Williams shows up in those pressure cooker moments. Man, we have to start games strong. We have to come out of the gate with a lead, asses on fire. Oh and Ben Johnson? Just go for it man, you know you want to.
Anything could happen Saturday. This is the greatest rivalry in the NFL. This is truly for all the bragging rights for years to come. I hope my Bears win. Regardless of what happens, I’d like to imagine that my grandmother sending me that photo was a sign. A sign that somewhere, Ron Heimlich and I are having an Old Fashioned. Watching the game together.
We may not have gotten to know each other as people, but we’ll always share the Chicago Bears.
This Saturday, talk all the trash. I don’t care if it’s witty or basic. Talk some trash to your local Green Bay Packer fans. Trust me, they’d do it to you. Most importantly though, watch it with someone you love. A friend, your mom/dad, hell even your spouse if it’s a house divided. Call your grandparents, talk to them about the game, and if you can watch it with them, go watch it with them.
Bear Down
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