Bucket Lists, Cardboard Cutouts, and Making the Impossible Possible

Several years ago, during the 2021 NFL season, the world was navigating the height of the Covid-19 outbreak. In an effort to fill stadiums with the presence of fans, teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers placed cardboard cutouts of fans in the seats - a creative way to keep spirits alive.

For me, this initiative became something deeply personal. My son Anthony and I shared a dream of attending a Steelers home game together, which was an item that sat high on his bucket list. But in 2020, Anthony passed away on July 1st.

That’s where my sister, Marie, stepped in. She purchased two cutouts: one of me and one of Anthony, and had the Steelers placed together in the stadium for the Steelers-Bengals game. Seeing those cutouts wasn’t just a reminder of Anthony; it was a realization of a moment we could no longer have in the way we imagined, but in a way that brought its own kind of beauty.

When I wrote the Steelers to share our story, they responded with kindness and understanding. They sent photos of the cutouts sitting side by side in the stands. For that brief moment, it felt as though Anthony and I were together again, cheering for the team we both loved.

This story is a reminder of two things: the power of creativity to honor connection, and the importance of showing up for the people we love even in unconventional ways. Life might throw us detours, but love finds a way to make the impossible possible.

Sometimes, it’s not the grand gestures that matter most but the little ways we keep memories alive and dreams fulfilled. ????

To anyone navigating loss: cherish the moments you had, and don’t be afraid to find new ways to honor them. You never know how something as simple as a cardboard cutout can create an unbreakable bridge to the ones you miss.