Whenever most of the guys from my church/kids' school form a group the topic comes up cloaked in all variety of dress: how good kids are doing in it, how much they have to travel for it, basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer.... Even faking those stunned looks of being impressed feels like I'm pulling a millstone behind me.
Almost all of the free time of the parents with other kids is dedicated to watching and driving to and from watching sports. One mom proudly (with a hint of exhaustion) told of how her son has 3 ball games in one day... the day before? they were going to be watching a semi-professional baseball team.
The insidious little hatred for sports for me started so harmlessly:
It was about 6 years back and I was watching a sports show where two fellas bicker back and forth about all things sports. I was even invested into the topic they were talking about. Then this little thought bubbled up: "doesn't it seem silly to argue so passionately about sports?". Followed by, "This is what they do professionally. They argue about sports."
I walked away from that moment kind of chuckling in my head about it. But every time I went back to that show (or any other related sports show... because they always are debating something about sports) I felt more of a sense of frustration than enjoyment. One of those, "life simply CANNOT be about this!!" sense of indignation.
And it's only gotten worse. And, what a time to be alive and feeling that way.... when the general sentiment and fervor for sports only grows steadily and looms more imperiously.
Calgon.... take me away.
. My kids all played. Though we generally limited them to 1 sport/team per season with 7 kids that could still be a lot. I loved watching them have fun. As my youngest has finished his last season I know I will miss it. I really savored this last year. I don't yet have the time on my hands I thought I would but I imagine that will come soon enough!
