The time might be now.

I have been reflecting on this blog post for quite sometime. Trying many times to muster the words to convince others that this trip is not one for choice or happenstance, but one of fate or destiny. Unfortunately, I could not, nay should not, try to persuade others into something I dare say I did not wholeheartedly believe in myself. This post is my own inspiration because I realized today, tonight, that before inspiring the hibernating Jayhawk inside others I have to inspire myself.

For me this trip is not for me, or Ben Clark, or any other incessant texter or voice messager - this trip is for:

Benny and June Goodman

Jayhawk alums from the class of 1951, they met under a clear and bright Kansas night. Dancing the night away after KU's upset win over heated rival Kansas State, they were married that same year. Sadly, Benny succumbed to his 5 1/2 season battle with alcoholism this January. He never recovered from these 37 words, "I was Tar Heel born. When I die, I'll be a Tar Heel dead. But in the middle, I have been a Tar Heel and Jayhawk bred, and I am so, so happy and proud of that." Upon his passing, June lamented, "Roy was a part of the family. When he left, a small part of Benny melted away, maybe died then. He took this loss harder than Korea."

Sherron Jackson Johnson

Conceived at Senior night last year and born on October 12th, 2007 during the annual 'Late Night in the Phog' at approximately 10:51 p.m., he crested the crown into the hands of Sherron Collins and Darnell Jackson just after shootaround. His mother, April Johnson, was induced into labor after witnessing a thunderous alley oop from Russell Robinson to Darrell Arthur. Screaming and wet but with a smile on his tiny face, his eyes opened to the lights and sounds of Jayhawk basketball.

Coach Mangino and his Snot Rocket

Never a man to change for anyone or anything, let alone celebrity. Coach Mangino continues to take pride in himself and his hoagies. He chews with his mouth open, he does not use a towel in the sauna and he does not care if 10 million people see him pick his nose during a Big 12 contest.

These moments all share a common thread - Jayhawk basketball (Coach Mangino ate a basketball at halftime against Baylor- it had cheese on it). Take some time these next days to ponder the consequences of not going, rather than the sure-fire consequences of going. If these vignettes do not move you, then concentrate, and look inside yourself and breathe some life into your soul.

Do this gentlemen. Do this.