Sigh...

I, personally, couldn't see this day coming. To know now that there is no chance of the Sonics in Seattle in 2009 is, well a mix of surprising and devastating. I can't really describe how I feel. I haven't decided what to do with my memorabilia. I suppose it will just end up in my closet. There is still some hope in the Schultz Case, but that won't happen until 2009, if ever. I want to believe that Schultz wants to carry the case through to the end, and the words his PR people have put out should make me feel better, but they don't.

I have been lied to too many times to believe anything from anybody.

I'm tired of being betrayed.

I think the best way to mourn a loss is not to be angry about it but to celebrate what was, and in that spirit I would like to share a story that is very close to my heart. I forget what the year was exactly, but I was about five or six. I grew up when the Supersonics were the pride of Seattle, like the Mariners in 2001 and the Seahawks now. I remember watching Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp on TV.

I wanted to see them live, but my dad said that the tickets were too expensive, which they were. One dark afternoon in the wintertime, I was in my elementary school's after school care when my dad came to pick me up. I was one of the few kids left, and He told me that he had a surprise. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out two Sonics tickets. I was so excited I screamed and told my teachers. I couldn't be more happy.

When my dad and I entered the Key Arena, I remember thinking it was a palace, one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen. That seems ironic, but part of me still feels that way. The seats were about ten rows up behind one of the baskets. They were amazing seats, and we got great views of every basket. I remember seeing Payton and Kemp for the first time.

I even remember the opponent, the still new Toronto raptors. I remember thinking that was a cool name, but that I thought Sonics was cooler. Time has eroded much of my memory of the game itself, but I remember we won. I must have fallen asleep in the car back, but before I did, sometime in the previous few hours, I became a true Seattle Supersonics fan.

I have more memories. I went to Key arena for my birthday a few times, including last year and the year before. I remember watching the team on TV on winter nights while doing homework. I remember the 2005 playoffs. I remember both Ray Allen trades I remember how I felt when we got Durant. The Sonics brought me lots of happiness during my life, and for that I am grateful.

I haven't completely given up hope, no matter how faint it is. It is possible to see the Sonics back in 2010. But I see that this isn't the most likely outcome, and I hope I don't have to relive this ordeal whenever I turn on ESPN, or watch a basketball game, or look at the Key. But when they were here, these Sonics meant so much to us, and we can appreciate what was here while we wait for something to fill the gap.

If there are any fond memories that you would like to share, I encourage you to put them in the comments section. Clay Bennett, you can take our team, our hope, and our pride, but our memories will stay in Seattle. They are not for sale. Sphere: Related Content