You are related to who?

This past Friday was date night for Kari and I.  Date nights are fun, because they give us a chance to get out and spend time with one another.  At the end of our dinner we decided to go the Charlevoix High School football game.  I really enjoy watching football, there is something nostalgic about sitting in the football stands with a blanket watching two teams play one another.

There were a few realizations that I had as we sat through this game.  The first hit me as I listened to the announcer "Run by Boss"  "pass by Potter" called the announcer.  Those of you who do not know these are family names of my wonderful bride from both sides of her family.  I joked saying what is the announcer in your family too? Kari very sweetly chuckled and said "Yes, he is" And later that announcer called down to the line judge saying "Uncle Lou, flip the number will ya!" At this point I had a lot of thoughts run through my head.  But one rose more clearly then the others, so I looked over to my wife and said "I see why you chose to marry a man from out of this town." She said "Why?" I responded with "because you wanted kids who did not have any deformities."  Kari has a lot of people who she is related to in this community, but beyond that she just has deep roots in this town and community.

  And this brings me to the second realization I had:

Because Kari knows these people and more importantly knows their stories she enjoyed just watching them.  I sat and watched the game, she sat and watched the people.  This is one of the things I love about my wife, she never turns people off.  I do.  I enjoyed sitting there watching football, not thinking about anything but the game.  Kari was paying attention to the stories of the people.  The people she knew.  The people from her world.  Even though I enjoy to shut the brain off, something I think I need to work on is to take in the heart behind what Kari was doing, and not shut the people off around me.  To notice them.  To take the time to know this community, to learn their story.  Too often I do not take the time to see the people.  I thank my wife for the reminder of this, for the reminder to stop and look at the people, to see them to know them.....Even if it is in between the plays.

Christopher <><