A Bucket for my Bucket List

Bucket lists. We all have them wether they are a detailed list with highlight marks and exclamation points or a more general idea floating around in our heads. This past weekend I was able to live out one of the items at the top of my list; attend a Duke Blue Devils basketball game at Cameron Indoor. I am going to attempt to describe the joy I experienced as I watched a dream of mine from freshman year of high school become a reality.

Maeg

It was a brisk Saturday morning and I was walking the Duke campus with my boo, Maegan, when we reached the epitome of gorgeous architecture and a dominant landmark, the chapel. I was content to walk through and admire the beautiful stain glass windows, insanely high ceilings, and touches reminiscent of Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Needless to say, it was breath taking. We reached the front of the chapel and I noticed a custodian named Oscar at the front. I inclined him to take a quick picture so I could look back fondly on this memory. He gladly obliged and threw in a few jokes as well. After 25 minutes I realized we were still talking to this delightful man. Oscar has been working in this chapel for 17 years and is full of life, if you ever go to Duke make sure to stop in and talk with him for a minute. Church mice, mirrors, fires, movies, etc. were a few of the intriguing topics/events that he entertained us with and through him we were able to revisit the history of this magnificent building.

Oscar then asked the most wonderful question, "Would you ladies like to go to the top?" Umm, obviously our answer was a hasty yes. Pulling out his key ring he escorted us to the stairwell, which quickly changed to the elevator as Maeg let on how nervous she was about claustrophobic heights. (It was only 400 steps up a windowless, spiral staircase...no big deal.) The elevator was charming and had golden gates which whisked us to the bell tower where we were able to look down at the inner workings of this church. Coach K uses this elevator when he goes to the top and Kyle Singler has shot baskets off the area we stood. Of course Oscar was not through with our moment and opened a second door leading us to the very peak of the chapel where we had a 360 degree view. He pointed out parts of Duke's campus, Raliegh, Chapel Hill, and quite a few other views from our tower on high. I felt a little like a princess standing in my castle. We were even allowed to carve our names in the wall. I giggled for a good part of our time atop this spire. How special this was became cemented when we returned to reality(ground level) and witnessed several directors of the board who had to reserve a time to experience the adventure we'd just had spontaneously.

My heart fluttered as we began our walk toward Cameron Indoor. The morning had started perfectly and I couldn't imagine the day getting any better. But this was my fairy tale and so of course it did! Greg, Maeg's husband, joined us in line for the game. They were unbelievable troopers and arrived a little under 2 hours early because they love me! We were still pretty far back and I was concerned that our seats might not be the best, but still excited because I was about to watch Duke basketball. Luckily Greg knew that if you made a sign you might get moved and brought the guy in charge back to judge my sign. I exhaled as he gave us the go ahead and approved my sign. We were brought to the very front of the line and given wristbands. Front row behind the home goal is where we ended up. I couldn't believe that my first game at the arena of my favorite team in the whole world would land me front and center. I truly was a princess!

Days later, I am still taking in the sights and sounds of heaven on earth. Energy was palpable and the dancing and cheering began well before the game clock started. For the next three hours I screamed, shook my crazie hand at opponents, snapped picture after picture, and died of happiness. Coach Mike Krzyzewski was vibrant and larger than life as he reacted to plays, even falling to his knees in exasperation at one point. President George H.W. Bush honored us with his presence and chants of U-S-A filled the stands. Duke played with passion and crushed the wolves of NC State with ease. Many a delightful dunk was made and we roared with delight after each slam or barely audible swish of the perfect three. As the final buzzer rang, I floated back down from my cloud and returned to walking amongst the peasants and normal folk once more.

Mike Krzyzewski sums up the illustrious moment poignantly, "Fun is to experience things you would not have been able to experience in any other setting."