Super Bowl

Did you see the kitty bowl half time show!!?? The one no one is talking about?? Well, I did and it was my favorite part of the Super Bowl. Google that bad boy for a good chuckle. I mean, Bruno and the red hots killed it during half time, but so did keyboard cat so let's give that feline some credit. 

But, in all seriousness, what is wrong with me? How did I miss out on the sport fanatic gene? I just do not give a crap about sports or sporting events. I don't even really care about the commercials. But, there are a lot, and I mean a lot, of folks who really care about teams. They invest time and money into caring and cheering and feel deeply moved by a win or loss. I wish I felt this passion. The root of the problem is this: I don't understand the game. I don't know what they are doing, I don't know the rules and vocabulary, and I don't understand the violence. Like most things, when people have a lack of understanding it usually turns to hate or dislike. The time is not taken to close the misunderstanding gap and dislike or discomfort is the result. This happens in very serious and bigoted ways, but it also happens in small ways like sports. With me. I just brush it off, make fun of it or completely ignore the value it holds for others. Like my son. My husband. My friends. My family. Not that I am necessarily mean about it, but I totally play it off like a joke and devalue the entertainment value it holds for people. I wouldn't want people to treat my interests and passions that way. So, I decided that while I probably wasn't going to watch much of the game, I would throw a get together that honored the interests of my dear son, my loving husband and a few really fabulous friends. Here are a few snap shots of how I contributed to the footballs this year:

I really dorked it up. I made food labels that said things like: touchdown taco cups, end zone enchiladas, quarterback cupcakes. I made a Super Bowl word search. Had footballs for the kids. Nick joined in and had beer from Seattle and Denver breweries. It was really fun putting it all together and Henry was totally tickled by the food labels. He talked to me about them again this morning. I can't say I did this all just for my family and friends. I really love to throw a party and to be as cheesy as possible. But, I truly wanted Henry to see that I do honor his passions and while I don't understand this football mess, I respect the people who do love the game. 

By participating in the Super Bowl this year, this is what I learned and witnessed, all which would have been missed had I not been watching: 

1. Seattle has great colors for their uniforms. Really top notch.

2. Denver players had on great, orange sneakers.

3. The media has a lot of power. 

4. Isabelle and her pal June played amazingly well. When the evening ended Isabelle told me she was glad to have friends. 

5. Cheese dips can be consumed without judgement. 

6. It's okay to have a few extra cocktails on a Sunday. 

7. Good friends make the evening enjoyable.

8. Henry loves football. He also loves people and the social event. He is kind and gentle with ten month old babies and he is a lover of cheesy food labels. 

9. People really care about their team of choice and I think that's pretty cool. 

10. I felt bad for the Broncos at the end of the game. This is the first time I've held an emotion about a team. 

11. People come together around football. They gather, eat, drink, laugh and yell. All about a game. Maybe it's silly to some. Maybe it's community to others. 

I'm not sure I'm ever going to enjoy sports or understand the passion and thrill. But, it may not hurt to learn a bit from those who really enjoy this pastime, like my child. Maybe if we all took more time to try to understand the things we dislike we may find ourselves in a more peaceful, content state. A place of understanding differences. 

--maggie