Auburn and 'Bama Fans Could Learn Something from a Fox and Hound

Do yourself a favor and take time to read this story.  Please pass it along...

You know in the classic Disney animated movie, The Fox and The Hound?  The story line goes something like this. 

The hound and the fox meet during their juvenile age.  The two become best friends. And hang out every day experiencing all the best things in life. Unknowingly they were not supposed to be best of friends at all; they actually should have been enemies.  But something strange happened through their friendship for one another. They put aside there inherent differences.

Eventually the fox and hound grew older and due to circumstances not of their own, they were separated. 

Through their division they set off reluctantly to live their lives apart.  Until one day their two paths crossed once again. However, things were not the same as before.  They had unwittingly become enemies.  The sad things was, they did not remember where this hate came from or understood why such hate occurred.  One thing for sure, it came natural and it was fearsome.

After several near disastrous meetings, a final climatic battle between the previously best of friends almost ended in tragedy.  At the moment when you would have thought nothing but the worst was going to happen.  An epiphany came over them both.  The admiration they once shared was proven alive again.

At that précise moment the owner of the hound; a farmer was ready to shoot the fox. The hound placed himself in front of the gun, not allowing the farmer to fire.  Quietly with a whimper the hound convinced the farmer to let the fox live.

As the farmer walked away, the fox and hound stood in virtual silence starring at each other.  Realizing they’re love, although buried deep was still there. They both realized as the hound walked away, they could never be together as friends again.  However, they also new they’re friendship would never die.   

While searching the Auburnfootball blogs I stumbled on the posting below.  I don’t know who littlelephan is, but his story about his friend Alice touched me.  It’s a simple reminder, but on the grandest of scales. Their story like the fox and hound—it’s what life is really about. Friendship, respect, and love.

I hope as you read his story, I pray it touches you as well.

Littlelephan, this is for you and Alice.  I hope you don’t mind.   

Littlelephan on 01/13/09 at 11:10AM

I've been away for awhile. I had to take care of something personal. I've decided I'll share it with those of you who are interested.

I'm writing to you from my office in the executive corporate suite of our headquarters. When I started with this company 24 years ago I wasn't allowed in this area of the building. Unless I was bringing donuts and coffee to someone who was Alice, the meanest woman I had ever met. She was assigned to train me as she had done for so many who came before me.

Alice never missed an opportunity to tell you what she thought of you, or what she thought of anything for that matter.  And she had a way of expressing things in ways that you would always remember.

Over the years I got to know Alice well. Eventually she became one of my associates, but she was before that; and of course remained my very close friend.

She never failed to send a card on my birthday or ask how the wife and kids were doing. She would even sew my buttons when they would pop off my shirt. As I said; Alice was not a secretive person. She told you what she thought. Here's what I know for sure.

She loved serving the Lord. She believed marriage is between a woman and a man. She thought hard work was the key to success. And she loved Auburn football. We shared many beliefs and I forgave her for the last one. On Mondays after the Iron Bowl she would come directly to my office to either rub it in or to take her abuse, depending on the outcome.

The Friday before the every Iron Bowl is a working holiday at our company. We have a week-long contest; Auburn fans VS Alabama fans-make a contest of raising money for charity. We come together on Friday to see who wins and also for a pep rally/contest.

Give Alice a microphone and no one else has a chance. It was always so funny to see this little grandmother of a figure-yell at the top of her lungs, WAR DAMN EAGLE!  As she shook her orange and blue pom-poms in the face of anyone who got too close.

Alice retired last year. A few months ago we got bad news. The cancer she battled several years earlier had returned. Last Thursday afternoon I went to see her. She was complaining about everything.

Her biggest complaint was the fact that she was not able to go to a New Years dance this year. She loved to dance. I promised her I would take her dancing next New Year's Eve.   As I left I couldn't help thinking it would be our last visit. On Friday morning I got the call.

Certainly next year's pep-rally will be quite different without Alice. The Iron Bowl will never be quite the same for me either. However, I'm absolutely sure Alice's new seat for the game will be better than any seat in the house. I'm sure at some point during the game, I'll think of Alice. And even though I'll be rooting hard for the Tide, I'll look up and give Alice one good WAR DAMN EAGLE!

War Damn Eagle Alice! I love you and I'll miss you.