I never could have imagined that I would ever link the words “foolish” and “loyal.” I started playing organized sports at age 7, which coincided with being taught by nuns who drilled certain points into our consciousness seemingly without end. One of those precepts, which my coaches and the sisters drove home, was that one should be loyal. This was an absolute — no conditions precedent, no caveats and no qualifiers.
Loyalty, after all, is the bond that holds families, organizations and even nations together. It merits a sacred spot in our lives. This most recently evidenced itself in organizing a homecoming football game and fundraiser for my grade school, whose hallowed halls I left more than 35 years ago.
