Since the latest hockey match-up between the UNO (University of Nebraska- Omaha) and the University of Michigan Weasels takes place this weekend, I thought it would be a good time to express my sentiments on this subject. Instead, though, I'm going to tell you a heartwarming, touching story about my step-daughter.
In 2006 on the last day of regular season, I took Paige, then 13 years old, to a Cardinals game. Since the Cardinals were in a playoff race, the stadium was packed to the rafters, which is where our seats were. They were good seats though, in the very last top row directly behind home plate. We were actually at the top of an aisle with no one seated directly in front of us. It was a fairly hot day but we were in the shade with a nice breeze blowing from the open area right behind us. We got settled in.
After some discussion about the starting line-ups and the current standings, the game got underway and our focus turned to that. The Cardinals fell behind early, but the Braves were beating Houston. Everyone was keeping an eye on the scoreboard because a Braves win would put the Cards in the playoffs. Paige wasn't saying much at all. I thought it was pretty cool that she was so into the game and the atmosphere of a pennant chase.
Without a warning, this quiet, focused teenager bellows out in her best Boston accent, "Yankees SUCK!" loud enough to damage most eardrums within a 60 foot radius. As the entire section turns to look up at us, I see a college-aged boy about 10 rows down from us wearing a Yankees t-shirt and making his way back to his seat with some suds. As the entire section started to figure out that the line had been shouted by this heretofore unheard-from little girl they all started laughing, even the kid in the shirt.
After the laughter settled down, I turned to Paige and discreetly explained to her that I didn't think it was appropriate for her to use the word "sucks" that way in a public place, adding "unless, of course it's preceded by the word Yankees"! She smiled at me.
After about fifteen seconds, she looked at me and and asked, "Or Michigan, right?"
My heart melted and I gave her a big hug. Sometimes it's really rewarding to be a parent.
In 2006 on the last day of regular season, I took Paige, then 13 years old, to a Cardinals game. Since the Cardinals were in a playoff race, the stadium was packed to the rafters, which is where our seats were. They were good seats though, in the very last top row directly behind home plate. We were actually at the top of an aisle with no one seated directly in front of us. It was a fairly hot day but we were in the shade with a nice breeze blowing from the open area right behind us. We got settled in.
After some discussion about the starting line-ups and the current standings, the game got underway and our focus turned to that. The Cardinals fell behind early, but the Braves were beating Houston. Everyone was keeping an eye on the scoreboard because a Braves win would put the Cards in the playoffs. Paige wasn't saying much at all. I thought it was pretty cool that she was so into the game and the atmosphere of a pennant chase.
Without a warning, this quiet, focused teenager bellows out in her best Boston accent, "Yankees SUCK!" loud enough to damage most eardrums within a 60 foot radius. As the entire section turns to look up at us, I see a college-aged boy about 10 rows down from us wearing a Yankees t-shirt and making his way back to his seat with some suds. As the entire section started to figure out that the line had been shouted by this heretofore unheard-from little girl they all started laughing, even the kid in the shirt.
After the laughter settled down, I turned to Paige and discreetly explained to her that I didn't think it was appropriate for her to use the word "sucks" that way in a public place, adding "unless, of course it's preceded by the word Yankees"! She smiled at me.
After about fifteen seconds, she looked at me and and asked, "Or Michigan, right?"
My heart melted and I gave her a big hug. Sometimes it's really rewarding to be a parent.
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