It's that time of year, folks! Our grandkids have signed up to play sports and Papa and I are ready to watch them. Right now, we have three participating, but one will graduate next year and another will just be starting so we have many years to look forward to more games.
Our nine-year-old grandson Zane is playing football again this year with his team, the Might Mites, and I'm sweating already. In my opinion, football should never be played on any day that has a temperature over 75º. I'll never understand how those boys don't drop like flies in this heat.
Today was the first of many Saturday morning games for the third grader soon to be followed by games with our college senior cheerleader. David and I packed up the old SUV with all the planning of a month-long trek cross-country in a covered wagon (we oldsters require almost as much paraphernalia as toddlers when we travel) and headed off to watch Zane play. We pack umbrellas in case of rain or shine, stadium seats, sideline chairs, fans that blow mist, hats, etc., so we're prepared for any contingency. I just wish the weather would stay cloudy all day but full sun is predicted. Clouds would be a big help for a weather weenie such as myself.
There's nothing like spending a blazing hot August morning watching a bunch of grade school-aged boys running around a football field in uniforms, pads and helmets while Papa and I slowly melt into the aluminum stadium seats.
Once we found some empty seats with no one in the back or front of us, we settled in with my stadium seat, fan and umbrella. I was ready for some action but not from the unrelenting heat. Hopefully, some unlucky family won't sit behind me after I've set up camp. There's a danger for anyone foolish enough to sit back there and get punctured by my umbrella.
Anyway, the boys look so tiny and cute down there, trying to remember what the coaches told them to do. With my poor eyesight, it was nearly impossible for me to pick out our grandson. All I know is his number is nine this year. I don't know why they can't keep the same number every year. The first year he played, his parents excitedly purchased shirts and sweatshirts with their town name and his number. He's had a different number every year since and this is year three. His dad tried to remove the number of the shirt so as not to confuse anyone as to whom he was supporting but it didn't work. I guess he can use it as a cleaning rag.
Last year, after all the excitement was over, I asked Zane if he had fun. His answer? 'I didn't sweat.' Shoot, I was sweating just watching from the stands.
As if that isn't enough excitement, we have a granddaughter in college who cheers for her college team. We love watching her, especially when they do stunts since she's the one they throw around in the air. That girl is fearless. The only issue I have is the fact that the stadium is built in a hole where no breeze gets to us. We just sit and bake like turkeys on Thanksgiving. They also don't have any handrails for making the 'Mount Everest' climb to the restrooms and concession stands and back down again. That is a dangerous combination for me especially if I'm carrying anything besides my purse. If I survive the football season, I'll be front and center (so to speak) at her basketball games. At least we get to watch her perform in a nice indoor gymnasium with the restroom and concession stands nearby. (That does seem to be a criterion of mine of late.)
We also have a teenage granddaughter who is starting back to play volleyball this year. She hasn't played in a few years and I'm anxious to get to watch her also. I just hope the venue is close to her home. The last time she played all the games were held near Oklahoma City. I didn't mind the drive but we're getting old and tired.
I'm hoping by next year we'll be watching our now six-year-old grandson play football as well. The only drawback to that is they play on the same day and his games will be held mid-morning followed by his brother's unless he waits another year to play. Then we'll have a long wait between his game and his brother's. I am not looking forward to that part but I can't wait to watch him play. He has a bigger build than his big brother and I think he'll enjoy tackling.
Fingers crossed we survive.