The Komets were playing at the Coliseum this past weekend, and I thought to myself..."Self, did you not have a great time when you went to see a hockey game as a kid?" Absolutely! I asked my two oldest boys, ages 11, and 6, if they wanted to go see a hockey game, somethin different than renting a movie or playing a vid game..."Sure," they said with a spark in their voice. I thought, sweet! Some Father/son time...just them and I...a night with some greasy - not good for you, full of fat and carbs and sugar-type food with some sugary soda to chase it all down while we watch tough guys battle it on the ice...who wouldn't want to go?
We stopped at Rally's before heading to the coliseum - smart move on my part if I do say so myself. They do have the best fries known to mankind! We got burgers, fries, and cokes, and then it was off to the big game. I recall as a kid the long walk from the parking lot to some huge building, and then waiting in line to get our tickets, and then walking up some huge ramp, I mean orka huge, bigger than Brad's mom type huge, and when we finally got to our seat, we shed the jacket and cheered, screamed, yelled, jumped up and down - I didn't really know why, I was just a kid being a kid at the time. What did I know?
It was great to have those memories come rushing back as we entered the coliseum, picked up our tickets, and found our seat. I was enthused by their expressions throughout the beginning ceremonies and their excitement for our team...it was very cool for me to be there while they experienced everything for the first time. I can imagine our heavenly Father taking pleasure in seeing us enjoy something pure and rich and good, for the first time. HE must be enthused to see our excitement rise as our senses are triggered - sights and smells, and the memories made.
Speaking of which, I think I may have goofed, and will hopefully be forgiven. You see, i am far from a rich guy. I'm luck y to be able to spell the word, "wealthy". I am, but a poor humble podcaster and thus attempt to be rather conservative in our spending...not a penny pincher by any means, but I certainly hate to waste money on things I see of no value...just for the sake of buying something 'cuz I have money in my pocket...'sss just how I am. Here's where I made the mistake: The game ended, Komets, our team, won 5 to 2. Victory tasted very good. We grab our stuff and off to the exit we headed. On the way out, Christopher, 6 yrs old, asked if we could get a hat. I thought of myself, we have plenty of hats at home that he never wears, why would he want another? Of course I replied, "I don't think so, bud. You got hats at home that you never wear." His face drained of enthusiasm a wee bit, and I took it as just a disappointment that he didn't get me to buy anything.
He asked again, "Well, Dad, can we get something? A shirt? Something?" I thought...why? Why do we need to buy anything? He's had some ice cream, a soda while there at the game, we had some Rally's earlier...why do we need to spend more money? So, of course I stated my position again, "Chris, we don't need to spend more money. We're good. We've had fries, ice cream...we're good." I didn't hear him ask for anything else on the way to the car.
We hopped in and headed for home. The boys we're out like a light within minutes leaving just me, the radio, and my imagination. And then it hit me. I felt like such a moron. He had this poster that salespeople were just handing out for free as we walked into the arena, and Chris really wanted one, so I grabbed it and then he hung onto it, which inevitably meant that I would be hanging on to it. I though to myself, can't we just pitch this thing? I don't want to be carrying this around the rest of the evening. I figured that if I ask him to carry his own poster, then he'll eventually pitch it out of exhaustion of carrying around this thing. I was wrong. It never left his sight...or his hands. He held on to that free poster for dear life. Just like I held on to the one I received nearly 20 years ago at my first hockey game. I am a moron. Why did I not see it earlier?
He wasn't trying to get me to spend money. He only wanted to get something else by which he could remember the evening he spent with 'ol Dad and his brother at the hockey game. Looking back, it wouldn't have cost but maybe $10-$15 dollars...but oooh no! I had to be ever so frugal. I just wasn't thinking.
So, as a bit of advice from someone with fantastically clear hindsight who screws up on a regular basis: If you are the one looking for a souvenir, don't be too upset at the one with the money if they tell you, "NO." They are simply thinking about saving a little money.
And if you're the one with the money, who's got a couple of guys asking you to part with a small amount, it's ok to save, but don't be TOO frugal...they are just looking for something to help them remember that special day in the World Gone Mad.
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