This is us – Duck fans

This is us – my son Maxwell and me, and our friends Scott and Clarke, very happy at the end of the Ducks’ win over the University of Southern California last week. Scott doesn’t actually look that goofy; Maxwell and I often considerably goofier.

This is us before the game (both photographs taken by Luke). It was the first time my mother had ever worn a baseball-style cap, on loan to keep the sun out of her eyes. Maxwell and I are busily chomping on our delicious Subway sandwiches before the kickoff. My father, Max, is in classic pose behind me asking a question about the rules of the game. I think I get my gesturing tendencies from him. His namesake Maxwell is evidently listening diligently. My parents both enjoyed the event, and are up for going again to see the Ducks play Arizona State on Saturday.

During the game, Grandma Pam asked me why the ball is placed on the 35 yard line to kick off. My mind raced with the debate around the reasons for the recent rule change, but the crowd started yelling and I wasn’t able to reply. In the next lull, she turned around and asked Maxwell. “Because that’s where they kick off after the other team scores,” he answered. She nodded, satisfied. Sometimes the simple answer is all the questioner wants.

Before the game, I turned to sun the left side of my face, knowing the right side would be baked while I was watching the game and not wanting to leave looking like an alien on Star Trek with one side burned, the other pale. My mother, sitting behind me, stroked my hair softly. As you can see in the photograph, it’s sorely in need of significant attention from my hairstylist. But instead of making a comment to that effect, Mum murmured gently, “I’m so sorry I gave you my frizz”. What a blessing to have a good mother, who is on your side no matter what and knows when to simply love. And to get to spend time with her.