Football: Keeping the Game in Perspective

I am probably not the most qualified person to write this post since I detest football. I don't watch it, Super bowl Sunday is not on my calendar, and I could care less who wins, who loses, or how our local teams rank. So while I have already tuned out a majority of readers with those lines,I will go on to finish this post with those of you that are interested. 

I understand the draw and rooting for a team. I followed our high school team when I was in school. I was a huge baseball fan for a long time and the Braves were my team. I was in the cheering section when they won the World Series in 1995. I still have a sweatshirt from '95 that I wear every winter. It's a collectible. However, I never took it too far or let the game rule every other aspect of my life.

Football is a game. It is a franchise in which men are overpaid for entertaining the masses and running around on the grass chasing a ball and beating the snot out of each other. It is an institution in which the snack food companies grow rich and advertisers pay obscene amounts to be seen. The outcome of a game or who wins the Super Bowl has no bearing on the spin of the earth whatsoever. Yet people are enslaved to it like zombies.

The reality of this was made obvious to me a few weeks ago. My husband's employer throws a huge company picnic every year, complete with free cotton candy, rides, a fairway, shows, and food.It lasts about 5 hours and it's intended to bring families a day together to have fun. We go every year and have a great time. My husband works close to 60 hours a week most weeks so it is a rare treat to enjoy a Saturday together.

While sitting at the picnic tables enjoying some lunch, I overheard the conversation of the family next to us. This is how it went: 

Mom: "Hurry up and finish eating if to want to go on some rides." 

Child (about 5 years): "Why? Do we have to go?"

Mom: "Yes. Soon. We need to leave by 1."

Child: "Why?"

Mom: "Because it is Saturday and daddy needs to get home."

Child: "Oh. There's a game today right?"

Mom: "Yes. Daddy wants to get home in time for kick off."

Dad: "Yeah. Let's get this family crap over with and go enjoy the weekend."

Family crap? Really? First of all,  it made me eternally grateful I married a man that detests football almost as much as I do. Secondly, I couldn't grasp the concept that someone would rather go home and sit in front of the t.v. watching football instead of spending a day of free fun with their family. I mean, I know there are people like this, I'm not naive, but the reality of it broke my heart. 

Mostly, it was the thought that this little boy it's going to grow up KNOWING that he is less important to his dad than a bunch of overgrown thugs sweating it out over a ball. Secondly, it is pretty easy to guess that the company picnic won't be a yearly tradition for this family for very long. Third, this guy is going to die knowing the stats of every player on his fantasy football line-up, but have no idea when his kid's greatest moments in life happen. And finally, he'll probably push the child to play football (if he isn't already) until the kid ends up with a game-ending injury or decides to make something of himself in life and quit pleasing his dad by living out daddy's failed dreams.

Yes, my thoughts do turn to the very worst outcomes and based on assumptions heard from a single conversation. But who here believes for one minute that these aren't extremely good possibilities? Football has become this guy's top priority in life, above family, which to me is a grievous sin. 

Football in itself can be a fun game. There is nothing wrong with the actual sport. But people take it too far. You can't get on Facebook without hearing a play-by-play or seeing stupid images of dogs, alligators, and other assorted animals on steroids dressed in jerseys. Parents put their children aside and indict them into the absurdity of yelling at the t.v. while indulging in artery-clogging snack foods and consuming fermented liquids. People attack fans of opposing teams and it is seen as an unfortunate consequence of a few overzealous fans. Our country and society see football and its players as some sort of gods to be worshipped. It takes over holidays and weekend plans. It is all just too much. 

And the most absurd thing of all is that someone will get mad about this article and tell me how stupid I am because I feel this way about the idiocy surrounding this game. To some extent they'll be right. I don't understand it nor do I want to participate in it. My kids will grow up KNOWING that I set aside my own desires and pursuits to spend quality time with them. They will know that they are important to me, and I hope they will put as much value into their families later in life. 

I may not have changed a single priority of any person reading this. But I'm not trying to tell them to give up football completely. I'm trying to tell you that your family should always be your top priority. If they can't put aside a game to spend time with their children or wives, they have a problem. If life revolves around stats, they're not LIVING LIFE!

This past Friday night we took our children out to dinner. We spent time laughing, telling stories, and creating memories. Football, baseball, basketball and soccer never once made it in to our conversation. But we got to know each other and had a great time. If that sounds boring or tortuous to you, you need to rethink your life and priorities. 

God, loss, fear, and family...Happy birthday!

Today is my birthday! It's been a tough year to say the least. I lost my dad 5 months ago today. He didn't usually remember dates too well, but last year he sent me a card for my birthday. Probably with the prompting of his ex-wife and her dedication to try and help him remember things! But it is something I treasure. I read it at his eulogy.

My Dad

He was able to visit for Thanksgiving, and it was the last time I ever saw him. He had multiple health problems, but was a strong man that never wanted to show pain or ask for help. I share his many of those traits with him.

I also went through some of the most trying times immediately following that. I was told I possibly had MS and then went through tests, MRIs, and months of fear until I finally found out it wasn't MS. I spent nearly two weeks with an excruciating headache and still suffer from some stiffness in my leg from the entire episode. It wasn't a stroke, but they're not really sure what it was. I had Bell's Palsy in my face, but whatever it was also affected the entire right side of my body. My worst fear was that I would lose my ability to sew, knit, and crochet. I prayed to God that He would please spare my arms. I could work without my legs, but I needed my arms and hands. He saw fit to not only let me keep the use of my arms, but to heal me totally and completely.

So along with the bad comes some good. I was healed and given a new lease on life. My little quilting business has grown and I've become much more adept at handling multiple orders. I have moved into designing some knitting patterns and found I love doing test knits. My life is fuller. It is more complete. I do things that I enjoy and take part in things that I normally wouldn't.

My son getting drenched waiting for Colton Dixon

A couple of weeks ago I took my kids to Rock the Universe in Orlando, FL. We spent 3 days riding the rides in Universal and Islands of Adventure. We listened to Christian bands we hadn't heard before and some that are near and dear to our hearts. It was too crowded and it rained all night during the first night, but I was able to see Colton Dixon (American Idol participant) and Christ Tomlin up close and personal.
We camped out at the KOA in a tent. It rained so hard that our tent collapsed (yes, I had it staked into the ground) and I was up until well after midnight trying to put it back up, find dry blankets, take a shower, and get the kids in bed. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Chris Tomlin

Our campsite

Usually, I wouldn't have spent the money, taken the trip by myself (without husbannd), or attempted to camp out all in one weekend. But it was an experience I and my 3 older children will NEVER, EVER forget. We're planning to go again next year. Hopefully with less rain, but whatever comes our way.

So it has been a year of high emotions, good and bad, finding God in impossible situations, getting closer to my family, and changes. I want to celebrate life, and all that it brings, and look back on what I've learned and grow. That's really all we can do, right? There will always be challenges that make us better. Fears we must overcome. Loss we never really "get over." And growth through it all that changes us. I'm blessed I have a soul mate otherwise know as "husband" to tackle everything with and a family I can rely on through it all. My mom is still with me, and I treasure her so much. I have an amazing sister that I love dearly and a brother I've grown closer to. My "extended" siblings from my dad's first marriage have also grown more beloved in my heart. I don't get to see them as often as I'd like, but I hope to change that too! Out with the old, in with the new. I will celebrate every year I age and never look at it as a loss of youth; I will see it as a year of gain and an opportunity for growth!

Quit Feeling Guilty!

Most of my posts this Christmas season have been about making gifts, giving of ourselves to others, and basically not to make such a big deal out of buying all those expensive gifts for Christmas. But what if you can't give and make a gift for every single person in your extended family or for all of your friends? My friend, you are not alone! This is economically one of the worst years for people in the United States. Unemployment is tragically high, we're still paying for a war, and people are just not making the money they are used to. So why do you feel so guilty about it this year????

I can tell you why - because you have been conditioned to feel badly about it. Big name retailers, media, and everyone else have conditioned people to buy, buy, buy or they are truly not celebrating Christmas! Let's get real here for a minute. Christmas was the celebration of the simplest gift there is - the creation of a family and the birth of a Savior. It took the wise men about 2 years to bring their gifts to the Savior and I don't believe they felt one bit guilty about it. I can honestly say that I don't believe it was on His actual birthday, either.

We've been conditioned to believe that if we're not roasting chestnuts, decorating trees, hanging lights, and shopping our butts off that we're not celebrating correctly! But what did they do before they had electricity? They lit candles. People bought or MADE a single gift to give to others. If they didn't have the resources, they gathered together and enjoyed each other. Why has family become a dirty word? Why do we feel that we can't even take one day away from ball games and our own personal issues to just enjoy the company of others? Why do we think that our families are people to be avoided at all costs every day of the year? I am so thankful for my family. All 5 kids, my husband of 15 years, my crazy mom, brother, and sister and all of their crazy kids and wives or husbands will gather on Christmas day to eat a meal and laugh with each other. I will treasure that moment in my heart this year, next year, and every year I am able to. Last year we lost a beautiful soul just days before Christmas. I missed her (and still do) beyond belief and wish I had just ONE MORE Christmas with her. I found the last gift bag she gave me the other day. It's funny how little things like that become so important. I remember and still have the gift, but I treasure that gift bag now. It was her hand that touched it, that picked it out, that signed it, and that will never again be able to touch or hold mine again.

My request from all of you is that you take this one day to celebrate birth. Birth of connecting with your family, the start of new traditions, the birth of a new year, or simply whatever grows in your heart. Get back into the family part of Christmas. Love who God has given you to love, or love someone that has never known it. You never know where the next Christmas will see you, but enjoy each one for what it is, not for what you can give or get.

Merry Christmas