A Perfect Day

I was 7 when I went to my first Buffalo Bills game in 1960 with my father, thus beginning a lifelong love with my hometown team. For most of my childhood and teen years, I shared the Bills with my dad and grandfather; going to games together, summer afternoons watching training camp, Sundays in front of the television. When my grandfather passed away in 1968, my father and I consoled ourselves by noting that he had a heart attack at half-time while the Bills were beating Miami. He went happy.

Even though I’ve lived in the Boston area for the past 28 years, I’ve not only remained loyal, but have raised my son to be a Bills fan. Leo, who’s now 16, has been steadfast and true, suffering the abuse of Patriots fans (aka his friends), particularly through New England’s Super Bowl era. Every year we try to get up to Buffalo for a game, or at least, to training camp for a couple of days.

This past year, it was Sunday October 21. We caught a 9am Jet Blue flight at Logan, and my father met us at the airport in Buffalo. A short drive into Williamsville brought us to the Pancake House where my mother was already waiting for a table. After a nice brunch (who doesn’t love a good stack of pancakes?), the Balsom men headed off to Orchard Park, about a half-hour away.

We found a parking space just across from the stadium and as we were walking up to The Ralph, all 3 of us were struck by the acrid odor of burning nylon Willis McGahee jerseys. My son said, “Smells like victory.” We had great seats; it was a beautiful, sunny day and the Bills won.

After the game, we drove straight to Ted’s, home of the best charcoal broiled hot dogs in the world, for dinner. Again, my mother had taken one for the team, and arrived ahead of us to secure a place in line. Then, around the corner to Andersen’s for a dessert of incredible frozen custard (did I mention that Buffalo has the best cheap food anywhere?).

It was just a short drive to the airport for our 6:55pm flight home; we landed right on time and were home in time for the first inning of Game 1 of the Red Sox in the World Series. I got to spend the day with my father and my son rooting for our favorite sports teams. Just about a perfect day.