Die Hard Fan

"I've dropped out, I've burned up, I've fought my way back from the dead ... I'll be better when I'm older, I'll be the greatest fan of Your life" (EM)

What kinda fan are you?

Recently, a Holocaust survivor visited our school, and addressed the students in what was a very memorable event. With vivid detail and deep emotion, this well-respected gentleman recounted his experiences of that terrible and painful epoch in Jewish history. He described how he witnessed the local shuls being torched by the henious Nazis, the injustices that prevailed as the norm, and the miraculous process his family merited as they were led to safety from the camps of death.

When he concluded his heart-wrenching account, he welcomed questions from the students. Perhaps one of the most insightful questions came towards the very end, as a boy reflected, "How did you find the courage to rebuild a religious family after witnessing such horrors?"
After a short pause, shrug of the shoulders, and slightly perplexed expression, the man responded simply, "Because I was a Jew! I was born a Jew, I lived my life as a Jew, and I will always be a Jew!"

There are several tiers of fans in the world of sports. First, there are the casual followers who watch a game every now and then when the chance arises. Then there are those who classify themselves as fans of specific teams and keep up to date with scores and schedules. However, the top of the line fans are what we call "die hard fans." They pledge allegiance to their team, religiously watch each and every game with total concentration and excitement, memorize statistics, monitor trades, and own every form of memorabilia and team merchandise. They may even have season tickets - box seats, of course.
What happens when these die hard fans' team loses? Do they jump ship? Do they simply choose another team to follow? After all their effort, time and monetary investments, are they willing to give it all up so fast? NEVER! Not a die hard fan! They're in it until the bitter end! Win or lose. They're team is the best - and nobody will ever convince them otherwise!

We lost six million of our brothers and sisters - our fellow fans. They were born as fans, lived as fans, and died as fans. And they didn't just die quietly.
They were die hard fans.
And the best fans die hard.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the strength and courage to always be Your fan and follow only You!"