League Championships Today

Stardate 06.07.2026

I'm hitching a ride to the league championships today when my team captain passes through my hometown on the way to Des Moines. The stakes are simple: win today's match and the team advances to sectionals later this summer.

I'll have a front-row seat for the action, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. My boss at my day job granted me a day off so I could be part of something meaningful. Those opportunities don't always come around, and I don't take them for granted.

This weekend has already been filled with moments worth remembering.

A special thank-you goes to my first cousin, Mark Mulligan, for giving me a front-row seat at his concert in Cedar Rapids. Several of my Midwest cousins made the drive from Kansas City to join the fun. Watching family gather from different places always reminds me how valuable those connections are.

One of my favorite moments came when Mark performed a song he wrote about my favorite football team. For more than twenty years, that team provided countless memories before our family moved away. As the music played, I found myself thinking about old friends, familiar places, and seasons of life that helped shape who I am today.

Family has a way of bringing those memories back to the surface. A song, a conversation, or a shared laugh can transport us across decades in an instant.

Life moves quickly. Schedules fill up. Responsibilities compete for our attention. Then a weekend arrives that reminds us how much joy can be found in simply showing up and sharing time together.

Today's championship match is another one of those moments. There will be competition, excitement, and plenty of anticipation. There will also be gratitude for the people who make experiences like this possible.

As I head toward Des Moines, I'm carrying more than a tennis bag. I'm carrying appreciation for family, friends, teammates, and coworkers who continue to make the journey richer.

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." — Psalm 118:24

Some days feel ordinary when they begin. Then they unfold into memories we'll carry for years.

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https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, you've packed an awful lot of living into one weekend."

Spock: "An efficient use of time, Doctor. Family gatherings and championship competition both contribute positively to morale."

Bones: "You always find a way to make fun sound scientific."

Michael: This weekend reminded me that some of life's richest moments happen when we accept the invitation to be present. A concert, a road trip, a championship match, and time with family may seem like separate events. Together, they become part of a story worth remembering.

May your week contain a few moments that deserve a front-row seat.

Live long and prosper. 🖖