One Grateful Family

Posted by Mallory Meyer on March 03, 2009

Wow.  I’ve been away from the Bot for way too long.  Part of my absence can be explained by an insanely busy schedule as of late, but honestly, it also has something to do with the fact that I didn’t think my usual sarcasm was appropriate for the Bot while we were all mourning the loss of Larry H. Miller.  So I took some time away.

While I don’t want to belabor anything or simply repeat the many kind words that others have already shared, I do think it’s necessary that I give a little tribute to Larry before I go back to my usual flippant self.  The truth is, though I never really had a conversation with Larry, I owe him a lot.  The whole Meyer family owes him a lot.

I’ll never forget the time I realized that I had the coolest parents in the world.  We were watching the Western Conference finals with some neighbors when a big “Uh Oh” was heard around the state and John Stockton made that unforgettable 3–my dad looked at our neighbor and decided that we had to go to the Million Air airport to welcome home our Western Conference Champs.  We Meyer girls never missed school for anything–but my parents thought this called for an exception.  I’ll never forget walking the street to the airport that day with my dad.  I’ll never forget seeing Flyin’ Bryon Russell, Horny, and hero John Stockton driving away from the airport amid screaming fans.  I’ll never forget walking into my fifth-grade class late the following afternoon and bragging to all my friends about where I’d been.  That’s just an experience you don’t forget.

While I may be the only Meyer who writes these blogs here at the Bot, I assure you that the Utah Jazz runs deep in the blood of every Meyer individual.  I can’t think of the last conversation I had with anyone in my family that didn’t involve a little Jazz talk. When talking to Mom I know I’m going to hear about the beauty of  Memo and Korver  and the overall heart of the Jazz.  I know that Dad is going to try to make me believe that he himself came up with the great theories and philosophies that were shared by Locke that day.  Hugh will continually persuade me to put my trust in Jarron Collins, and baby Ruby will look stunning in her Jazz uniform.  Meg will always sing Millsap’s praises and McCall will keep me up-to-date on players’ family lives.  Whatever Jazz info I need, I know where to get it.

My family means everything to me.  And honestly, I can’t envision my family without the Utah Jazz. I remember a time when I was going through what some might call an “anti-capitalist” stage.  I sat on the third row of the Delta Center, and though I was thoroughly enjoying myself, I couldn’t help but hate that millions of dollars had been shelled out to make that night possible.  I was in inner turmoil as I sat there, hating the very thing I was loving. I’ve snapped out of that a bit, and I don’t really care about the money factor anymore. Sure it’s ridiculous, but all I care is that my family has something we can do together.  Something we can love together, and something that keeps us enjoying our time together.

Without Larry, there is no Utah Jazz. And without the Utah Jazz, the Meyer family just wouldn’t be the same.

We thank you Larry.

–Mal

6 Comments

Boondock Saint on March 03, 2009 said:

Amen…its the same for my dad and I. Sadly, my mother was never a Jazz junkie like my dad and I. From playing jr. jazz to going to some of the finals games, western conference finals, watching it at home, talking about it with friends, arguing with other fans and even now with the BOT and fantasy basketball…the Jazz have been a huge part of my life and I can’t imagine what else I’d be doing on game night. So I agree Mal….we owe Larry a thank you for making our lives that much better.

mesaak47 on March 03, 2009 said:

Same here. me and my dad love the jazz while my mom does not really care much but knows that when i am in a bad mood, it has to do with the Utah Jazz. Thank you Larry H. Miller for even making this possible for us and we are going to try and bring you the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!

JayD on March 03, 2009 said:

I agree , Ithink that we all have LHM to thank for one reason or another , but mostly for brining our beloved Jazz to SLC Ut . I can remember when he first bought the Jazz , it was definatley exciting to have a team in our own city . I fell in love with them right off and have been following them ever since .
I havent had the luxary of having my family envolved , because none of them really got into basketball , or sports for that matter . But when I got marreid to my ex I got go to her parents and get real crazy with her mother , when we would watch the Jazz play . Them were some days to remmember .
I dont know if anybody else has wonder about this , but I have been wondering if the Jazz will still be in Utah , now that LHM is no longer with us . Am I the only one that has worried about this ?
I know that I dont live in Utah anymore , but I still have a place in my heart there that will always keep calling me back .
Go Jazz !!!!!

mesaak47 on March 04, 2009 said:

Yes JayD Good question. I have been a little worried about it too. I also believe that the miller family will try and keep what Larry built here and not let the jazz go. I wonder if the passing of Larry H. Miller is the key factor or any factor in the jazz run lately? This has been an emotional month and time for the jazz and i hope they keep this emotion with them as they keep rising in the Western Conference. Go Jazz

Linda McFarland on March 04, 2009 said:

I think the Miller family will do everything to keep the team in Salt Lake City. It will need the help of all the fans to continue the financial support because you can’t do it without revenue but I think they will try very hard to keep it here.

Suzi (mom) Meyer on March 10, 2009 said:

Very well said, Mal .. Thank you !!

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