Team Fortress

Yesterday evening the Belegarth crew and I went out and started off 2009 with some fighting.

In the snow.

In below freezing temperatures.

And it was awesome!

Now I must admit that I didn't want to go at all, the idea of playing a full contact sport in the middle of the winter did not exactly appeal to me. The entire walk to the park I was trying to come up with some sort of reason to leave early... the only reason that really came to mind was the indisputable fact that it was cold. However, on the walk there I warmed up so much I had to take off my jacket when I arrived. We had 2 solid hours of wintery fun with foam weapons. I had forgotten how much fun it was to play in the snow.

When I was young I played outside all the time, making snow forts, skiing, and a myriad of other youthful snow activities. And so during one of the games I suggested that our team make a snow fort, complete with pine needle decorations and tiny snow angel guards. Hence our team became 'Team Fortress'. We weren't the best team, not the worst either, but heck we had fun.

It came to mind when we made the fortress, that that is what true teamwork is about. It's more than just fulfilling obligation or duty, it's about the camaraderie, the memorable moments. Even though building a snow fort gave us no advantage whatsoever in the game itself, it did serve a purpose. It gave us a common link, something other than winning to be concerned with. During those few hours we bonded. And in years to come we may never remember who won the games, or even what games we played, but we will always remember the fortress.

And that is what is important in life really, not exactly what you achieve in life, but how you live life.

That and cookies.

Peace.