First Game Day without Auburn’s Biggest Fan

Earlier today, my oldest brother Trevor tweeted, “First Game day without you brother. The stadium won’t be nearly as loud. The trees won’t be nearly as white. Pull us through #TMH3 #WDE.” I think my family and I are the only Auburn fans that will be crying tonight during the game verses Georgia Southern. With all the fanfare, there is only one major key to our game day missing… my big brother, Travis. Trav was the one who taught me everything I know about football. He taught me when to cheer and when to be angry. He taught me what a two-point conversion is and why you can’t run it back for a touchdown. Travis was the one thing I could count on during football season. No matter what was happening during the week, you always knew where Travis would be come Saturday. Now all Auburn football reminds me of is how my brother isn’t here to tell me who is the greatest new recruit or why the new coach is actually the worst. But even in my deep pain without Travis here, I am still reminded of the joy that comforts me in my loss.

Where Travis is now is far greater than any football game I have ever been to. The joy he is experiencing is exceedingly more than any joy Auburn football brought him. The glory of God is so incomprehensibly better than the glory of the Auburn Tigers. I find so much comfort in the image of Travis constantly being comforted and held by the presence of God in Heaven. I can’t even image how many times brighter the light of Christ is than Auburn’s new stadium screen. It was St. Augustine who said that heaven is a place of “holy and supremely satisfying communion” (City of God). Travis doesn’t need Auburn football to bring him joy anymore, because his savior is constantly satisfying him. Trav, being here without you is so hard, but I am so thankful for the God who died for us so that you can continually experience him. Everything here is dim without you, but we know where you dwell is far brighter than we could ever imagine. War Damn Eagle, Travis.