It’s About Time!

So, I’ve been dealing with the wrath of pneumonia for the past few days and from the looks of it, it will be my constant companion for several more. Naturally it derailed our New Year’s Eve plans and as I sit here and type this while watching a surprisingly boring Rose Bowl game, I thought to write something in between coughing spasms that are so ferocious that dogs in the neighborhood turn and run the other way. And for the record, so has my wife, who as of this writing is having 2026 libations down at Lib’s Grill with some friends.

Happy Flippin’ New Year!

It’s not that bad. My wife was able to fall asleep last night despite the outbursts from Tony Foghorn Leghorn BEFORE the ball dropped. When the Miami v. OSU game wrapped up last night, I did a little search for movies with New Year’s Eve themes. I found this movie called About Time that featured a cast that for me was largely unrecognizable save for Rachel McAdams, and certainly unrecognizable to my bride who was off to Never Never Land behind the shield of her heavy eyelids.

Even when I unleashed one of my coughing fits that probably sounded like an air raid to the rest of the neighborhood, Ruthie rested peacefully with the corners of her mouth turned slightly skyward. She did look cute lying there and I would have like to snuggle beside her, but being beside me these days, is as appealing to her as a vacation in the Valley of the Lepers.

It was then that I realized that I’m not all that exciting, particularly sitting beside a cup of hot tea, a bottle of cough medicine, prescription antibiotics and a box of Kleenex both used and unused. So, I thought to explore the movie.

About Time is from 2013 and it explores the concept of time travel. A family whose male ancestors possess the gift once they reach the age of 21, use their privileged companion pass to go back in time to correct small mistakes that can slightly alter the future. It’s a gift that I wish John Harbaugh had before wasted challenges. And clearly one that I wish Zach Orr had on his play chart over the past 2 seasons, particularly in the fourth quarter.

Anyway, the movie dropped some nuggets of wisdom that have applicability to many things in life, not the least of which is football and its fandom. Here are two quotes that forced me to take pause:

• “I just try to live every day as if I’ve deliberately come back to this one day, to enjoy it, as if it was the full final day of my extraordinary, ordinary life.”
• “We’re all traveling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride.”

Maybe it’s the new year. Maybe it’s about resolutions. New commitments. Getting better. Maybe it’s about capturing the silver lining even during the most trying circumstances. Maybe it’s about wanting what you’ve got, not having what you want.

Maybe it’s none of this or all of this.

Today, while hacking a lung and repeatedly blowing the burgeoning tuba between my eyes like a TikTok stuck on replay, I also took in Ravens Wired. I had never seen Derrick Henry so demonstrative, so passionate other than when he hits a defensive back with that stiff and then proceeds to dribble his ass down the field for 10 yards. He was engaging and, in the end, inspiring. Check it out…

No matter what you do in life, these words from @KingHenry_2 should inspire and tap into your greatness. Peace & love to #RavensFlock. Let’s get it in 2026!
Thank you @Ravens pic.twitter.com/4i6UzZlwFI

— Lombardi Party of One (@RSRLombardi) January 1, 2026

And then it struck me. An epiphany on par with the Grinch on that cliff when the sled began to slip his grip and his heart grew three times its size. We all have our challenges, some more daunting than others, perhaps even life altering. But through perseverance fueled by faith – faith in God, faith in love, faith in your commitment to living the life you want, faith in your teammates, you realize the journey is worthy. You come to understand that the desired achievement might not happen when you want it to. But you never stop trying, individually or collectively, and along the way you enjoy the ride.

Sometimes the ride is just as rewarding as the prize itself.

If you’re not with us, then you’re ð—¶ð—» ð—¼ð˜‚ð—¿ ð˜„ð—®ð˜† pic.twitter.com/7TMPX9PmjU

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2026

As said in the video above, this is a chance to make everything the Ravens’ players, the organization and the fans have been through worth it. The mistakes of the past don’t have to carry forward. Maybe they’ve all been just opportunities to get better.

On Sunday night in PIttsburgh we’ll find out.

Is it about time or about next year?

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/01/01/lombardis-way/about-time/