Rounding Third & Heading for Home...

I cannot remember the last time I have been to a professional sports game… I don’t know that I’ve ever been to a Bengals game and the last time I went to a Reds game was probably in high school when I got free tickets for my excellent grades. J I’m not a football superfan… nor a baseball superfan, by any means… but I do have a cute Cincinnati Reds shirt and a Reds Tervis Tumbler that might lead people to believe I actually attend games…

Truth be told, I’ve been avoiding sports stadiums for a long time. If you’ve read my original post titled “Back Story” you know that being fat can prohibit you from doing things that are typically perceived by others as being “fun.” I don’t do Reds games. I don’t go to amusement parks. I forego the yearly “cabrewing” trip with friends…  This Wednesday, however, I will watch the Redlegs take on the Pirates in person.

It sounded like a good idea a few weeks ago when friends from work and I decided to buy tickets. At that time, though, I didn’t have major anxiety about it. Now is a different story! I’m already wondering, “Where will we park? We will have to walk far? Will people stare at my large arms (I’ll be wearing a t-shirt)? Should I bring a sweater to cover my arms? No, it’s 90 degrees outside! Will I be sweating? Will I fit in the seats? How many steps do I have to walk up?” I could go on for days!

The closer it gets to Wednesday, the more I think about cancelling my appearance at the game. I’ve literally played out which excuse would be best… which excuse will be the most believable to my friends? I have school work… I don’t feel good… I hurt my ankle at the gym… I have to show some houses… I have to work late and can’t get out of it… After a talk with my mom and a brief crying session, I decided I will go. I will go and I will walk however far I need to. I’ll sit in the seat and if I’m uncomfortable, so be it. I’ll wear my t-shirt without a sweater and not care if people think my arms are huge. If I sweat, I sweat. I won’t be the first person to sweat at a Reds game!

Luckily for me I have great friends. They are aware of my anxieties and are prepared to deal with them. They’re also prepared to deal with me; prepared to sit in the bleachers if the seats are uncomfortable for me, prepared to walk slower so I don’t feel like I’m falling behind, prepared to assure me that I will, in fact, be ok and more than anything, prepared to tell me “shut up, you’re fine” if my whining gets to an extreme that makes them wish they left me at home. LOL.

Say a prayer to little baby Jesus y’all: if I make it through tomorrow, it will be quite an accomplishment!