Letters From Home: Ed Gordon

Dear Omaha,

Life is great, and it will always be great, but there are things that I miss greatly. As of now, I am spending my time finishing up my finals, but soon enough my time will be filled with starting my summer outdoor-construction job, hoping to spend days at the lake, and I assure you, I will spend the majority of my time thinking about when we will be able to be a team again. I am here, but Omaha, you are not the same. Omaha is a great place, I love it, this place is my home; but right now, it doesn't feel like home. 

Because I am an Omaha kid, I have watched all of this happen from my couch. No packing up my dorm to move home, no taking my gear out of my locker, none of that for me. I am fortunate to call this place my home, but home is filled with the things and people you love. Without all of you here, Omaha will cease to be the home that I have enjoyed for the past few years. Class is something I never thought I would miss with any substance, but here I am thinking that I would actually enjoy listening to a lecture in person. Walking from the East Garage to Sapp and seeing you, the training room staff, players from other teams I have fostered bonds and friendships with, other coaches I have had the opportunity of learning valuable lessons from, stopping in to say hello to the advisors in Hamilton, having a quick word with the weight room staff; these are all things that I miss more than life itself. 

I miss many things, but one thing I miss above all is Al F. Caniglia Field. Walking up the stairs through the fog-filled tunnel out into the vast white-lined field of green, hearing the cheers of fans and drums and bells from the maniacs is something you have to feel because frankly, my explanation wouldn't even begin to do this experience the justice it so rightfully deserves. My home away from home. I miss the lights, the dew-stricken turf under my feet, the white and black uniform worn with pride, but most importantly, I miss the Maverick on my chest - my family crest that we all wear so gallantly. 

I miss you, the people that make life so enjoyable because without you, something feels off. Training each day with my teammates and coaches, working tirelessly and diligently to perfect our craft, pushing each other to be the best we can be. The post-game Thank you's to the Corner Kick Club - our die-hard supporters who are there to thank us for competing because in reality, they are the people who mean the most. The people who come to watch all of us in action. Those in the stands, behind the bench, those who watch the live streams and tune in to MavRadio, those are the fans who, even though they don't receive it, deserve the most praise and gratitude from us players. I think I can speak for all UNO athletes in saying that you are our lifeblood, our heartbeat. You are the reason we do what we do.

I miss you, Omaha, and I miss all of you that aren't here. This bizarre situation we have found ourselves in begs us to reconsider how we live our lives and what we cherish. The answer is clear: every moment you live and every experience you have needs to be cherished with all of your being. The people you spend your time with and the things you spend your time doing, do it to the fullest. No regrets. Because when that final whistle blows there are no take backs, no re-do's, no more. 

To you, Omaha, thank you for all you have done for me and the people who call you home. We can't wait to be back with you, together, playing for you. Heads held high with confidence to put it all on the line. We will see you soon, Omaha.

In due time.

Ed Gordon
Midfielder • Junior • Omaha, Neb.
Omaha Men’s Soccer