Momma and Isabel, hanging out in The Office
It’s Saturday afternoon and here I sit in my van. If I don’t watch it I’m gonna be living in my van down by the river. Seriously, the fact that I’m in my driveway writing for my blog while chilling in my van and I’m cool with that? Shows how very, very close we all are to crazy.
The logistics (so that you don’t get too nervous for me or for yourself) are as follows: we came home from a basketball game which we won so we’re heading back to the championship game in about an hour. Isabel fell asleep on the way home and…well, anyone with children under the age of three can finish this story. The lengths you will go to when needing a well-rested child who won’t have a meltdown at the next event…you might just find yourself sitting in a van. Maybe down by the river.
Don’t judge. You never know.
Here’s the thing about basketball — my gosh it’s exhausting. I’m talking about myself here. Let’s push aside the whole “athlete, ball-playing, jumping-running-shooting” aspect of this scenario and focus on me and how utterly gut-wrenching it is to just sit in the stands. My gosh the energy it takes. Where’s my trophy? Where’s my reward??? Do you know what it means, what it takes to sit there and cheer and watch the clock tick down and watch the points go in or not go in, to watch that pack of boys run up the court and back down again? And suddenly, just like that you are down to one minutes thirty seconds in the game and once again it’s a nailbiter and how is my heart supposed to handle this day after day after day? Sometimes three times in one day! I sit there and think “my heart can’t handle this,” and I tell people around me. They smile because we understand that it’s intense but then I think “no, really. Do they understand that I feel like I’m having heart failure as these seconds tick away, that maybe this is the game when my friends have to call the EMT’s because I’ve finally passed out, I went and did that and caused a scene just like I’m afraid I would.”
Time for someone to take a chill pill.
Basketball is so intense, ya’ll.
So tonight we are heading back out (in about 45 minutes actually) to face the team that is undefeated always and forever. We played them twice this season, lost both times in close battles. But it’s all so intense. Everything about playing this team is intense. Their fans. Their coaches. Me. I wish I could relax, take a deep breath but my goodness it’s tough. IT’S TOUGH. GRRRRRRRrrrrrr.
Ahem.
The moral of this story is…what has become of me? That’s what I’d really like to know.
But seriously, I can’t tell you how many times this season I had to literally (literally! using it correctly here!) say to myself “it’s okay if they don’t win. You realize this don’t you?” And then I’d be all “Oh yeah! Hooray! It’s not the end of the world. That’s right!!”
Sad.
So here is where I might even dare ask for prayers but something about that feels like it lends further proof that I’ve totally gone off the deep end. Maybe you can pray we play really (really!!) awesome. This is Elliott and his class of 8th grade boys and they are just so much fun to watch. A great group of boys (the team is their entire class of boys, all ten of them). And yes, all joking (ahem) aside, winning isn’t everything and we all (myself included) totally know that.
In other news, is my makeup for tonight too much?
Thanks. I didn’t think so either, but I wanted to be sure.
I’m so glad it’s not just me! I get that way when I watch my kids, my friends’ kids, and even my brother’s players. Feeling like that just means you’re part of the family in my neck of the woods. Go Angels!
So very funny and oh how I can relate.! Except for us, it is hockey. The hockey season is L-O-N-G. I love it when it begins but as we get down to the last month or so, I am looking forward to something that requires warmth, sunshine, and a lot less equipment.
And, yes, I am often reminding myself that winning isn’t everything! Hope this is THE GAME for Elliott!
Make up looks just fine
Do this. http://screen.yahoo.com/downton-arby-s-28723019.html Do it now!
That was AWESOME!! Thanks for sharing.
Can you address why parents feel compelled to attend all the games their children play? It’s one of the mysteries of parenting now that wasn’t prevalent when I grew up. Kids have their activities, but sports seem to drive the whole family to attend games, spend their whole weekends in the gym. Why is every child activity now watched?
I agree this seems to be a new phenomenon. I know my parents didn’t feel that pressure when we were growing up.
Personally, I make it to as many of the boys games as I can. I really enjoy watching! But I have missed my fair share this season (and basically ALL of last season it feels like) because I couldn’t manage two toddlers at the games. This year I do what I can…but I agree there seems to be a move in being at everything for kids. It goes with the trend of children being at the center of the universe, an unfortunate move in our culture and society.
I am EXACTLY that way when my hoys play. My heart feels like it will pound out of my chest. My 8th grader is getting ready to play his last regular season game this weekend and then on to our tournament also. And I totally get the sleeping-toddler-in-a-van deal. Spent many an afteroon reading in the driveway myself. Good luck with the game! And favorite movie EVER…..!
Boy oh boy do I not miss organized sports. My one remaining athlete swims, and I do make a point of watching one meet per season, which means it’s fun but not exhausting. I did better when my older kids were little, but even then couldn’t make it to every game.
I never thought that music could work the same way – but it’s getting there this year. One son has two orchestras and a chamber music group; the other has a wind ensemble and a jazz band. And now we have an invitation from another wind ensemble to consider. Plus, of course, I am usually present when they practice.
I keep reminding myself how much I miss the piano (now in college), and how much I will miss the French horn next year. Sometimes it helps.
I just read your post after a very long day in a high school gym with a bunch of sweaty, stinky boys. My son was wrestling and that is not for the faint of heart. Every Saturday from mid Dec until 3rd week in Feb is spent at an all day tournament. They start at 8 am and go until 7 pm or later! We are exhausted at the end of the day. Wrestling is so INTENSE! In fact, our school t-shirts say “my son is killing me 6 minutes at a time.” That is so true. They wrestle with all their heart and effort for 6 minutes and I swear that I lose a few years every weekend. On a Saturday, my son may wrestle up to 5 times in the day and it’s crazy! But I wouldn’t miss a match for anything. He is amazing to watch and when the hard work pays off, what a great feeling. And you know that we pray before every match for his victory over his opponent. Doesn’t always get answered like we want but we still pray. =)
Amy W in Colorado
Oh, Amy, I’m so with you. We’re only in our second season of wrestling and it is so true. Those 6 minutes can leave you with heart pounding and feeling like you need a medal for just enduring. My son is great to watch too. Every week I go, “Wow, that’s my boy?”
You are hilarious! And having gone through those years you’re going through now, I can totally relate! We had five boys in four years, then a five year break before son #5 came along. I can tell you right now, our youngest had many naps in the car! And I would have sat in the car with him for an hour, too, if it meant he wouldn’t be cranky for the next event! That poor kid got dragged around to so many games that my husband and I were sure we’d ruined him for sports. We thought he’d be so burned out that the last place he’d ever want to be is on a field or a court. But luckily, his time came, too–and he played football and lacrosse like his brothers. No basketball, though; out of our five, he’s the only one who didn’t play even at the grade school level. And he’s 6’2″. But that was okay with me–because I agree that basketball is a nerve-wracking thing to watch! The score can change on a dime, and that doesn’t really happen in football or lacrosse. And at least in football and lacrosse, if your very over-competitive son is bummed out/angry because he just blew a play, he’s got a helmet on and you can’t see his expression!
I just love reading your blog. Mine are all in their 20′s now, but your stories bring back memories!
Actually, I lied in that last comment. We had four in four years, and then a fifth five years later! (No that it really matters…but I hate typos!)
The van thing: totally understand – been there, done that, a while ago since my son is now a teenager, but did do that. Actually, I am pretty sure I left him sleeping in the parked car inside the garage – buckled up i his car seat – once we got home, and would check on him every so often to make sure he was still sleeping! Naps are much appreciated for the sanity of mom and child.
About the games: totally agree. With me it was football. Ten weeks of total emotional overload. I had never prayed so much as in those ten weeks. I would think: this is too much. Then when it was over I would miss it.
All this to just say: you are totally normal, crazy (in a fun way) normal!! :0)
I read this the morning after going through this exact same scenario yesterday. I have 2 playing basketball, 4 who play soccer, and 1 who plays baseball – I do a pretty good job keeping my emotions in check most of the time, but my heart goes out to everyone who has to witness all that is ‘me’ when we are in a game with multiple bad calls and poor sportsmanship – I have to talk myself down over and over and over again. I mean, these game are with other Catholic schools, I’m thinking a confessional time slot pre and post game wouldn’t be a bad idea, right???
I struggle with this too, especially when other schools have different standards for sportsmanship. I have to remind myself that every school has a different approach to sports — maybe some schools think kicking the bleachers when the opponent is shooting a free throw is all in good fun? I get really (really!) annoyed, but Paul said not everyone sees this behavior as evil (like I do!).
Did they win?
I am sad to report we lost. We played really well, but just couldn’t pull it off.
I think the hardest part is when the other team donned t-shirts immediately after the game declaring their win. I guess that’s what they do in the NFL, so I know it’s not technically a crime. But man, it stung just a bit.
Bummer! T-shirts- goodness! Sports are getting very serious. Things have changed for sure.
Does it not feel like jet lag from basketball? After several Saturdays of middle school, Upward and high school games that was what came to mind. Couldn’t even remember any scores….but had a good time.
Just one more Saturday to go:).
I had to laugh about the van. One of my close mom friends participated in the National Novel Writing Month last November. There were times that the only way she could manage to escape her three children, husband, and visiting in-laws to write was to hide in the van with her computer and type away. There’s a Toyota Sienna commercial in there somewhere.