Talismans

There is a certain amount of magic to how a father passes along love of a sports hero or whole team to a child. There is a certain bonding — perhaps one day to involve a ridiculous trip shared by father and daughter to stand in insane weather to exorcise an irrational "jinx."

Part of all magic involves talismans (talismen?). And this week's objet d'eBay and objet d'eBay (to be fair) could be the touchstones for creating that magic, perhaps begun with a shared day of happiness centered on SB XLII ... a football game on HGH (hype growth hormone).

For some father and child there will be a shared 13-card set of Tom Brady, QB for the (perhaps) perfect Pats. Another duo will always have their 8-card set of Archie's son and Peyton's bro, Eli Manning, QB for the New Jersey Blue Giants. And when the game itself has become mere agate type in an NFL game-history compendium, they'll still be bound, they and even those who lost out in the bidding will still have shared memories.

** Things 2 & 1 will always remember the parties, but I doubt they'll ever remember the games. **