Football Sundays

Before I had kids, I planned my Sundays around NFL football. From August (or September) until the bitter end, there I'd be, anxious and agitated, yelling at the TV.

Once I had kids... well, it didn't stop there.

I'd corral them into the TV area using toy chests and other children's items. They were happy enough to toddle around, sometimes pointing at the TV or looking inquisitively at me.

Once they could speak, it was a whole new ball game — no pun intended.

My eldest daughter's favorite football-viewing phrase became, "Catch the BALL!" as she threw her hands up in the air, just like her mama. My youngest once sat stone cold on her little stool, leaning against the couch with no expression as the Packers kicked a field goal to beat the Cowboys in January 2017, sending them to the NFC Championship game, which they promptly lost. Again.

So it should have come as no surprise yesterday when I planned at least part of my day to watch the Packers opening game of the '22 season.

It did not go well, And it was ok. If I've gained anything in my decades of football watching and near decade of parenting, it's perspective. Yes, it's super fun when my team wins. There's a spring in my step, and a smile on my face the next day.

However, there are also plenty of reasons to smile and skip when my team loses.

As we head into the fall season, I'm working on gratitude and controlling what I can control. As for the rest, I'm gonna let that @#$!* go, Because I can.