Five Things from One Second

This is a story of cause and effect.

This morning, I clicked “Buy Tickets.”

1.   I decided to order tickets to a baseball game.

In that “Buy Tickets” single-click moment of decision, I could feel the almost-fall air in the shiny-new SunTrust Stadium for the Atlanta Braves.

(Atlanta being the keyword in this story.)

I was so excited to have a date with my kids–just me and them.  Oh, we would be eating some candy that would give us a belly ache, underneath the amazingly, blinding lights, in our light-fall jackets.

The crack of the bat.  Ahhhhhh.

I cannot tell you how excited I was about this game tonight.

I bought three cheap-seat tickets. I got the kids revved up.  Everyone was excited.

2. I picked out a bright red shirt with navy pants to cheer on the team.

I looked alright in the Braves colors.  The kids had on their Braves colors.  The girl and I had on our matching Converse shoes.

No, we didn’t have the official gear, but at least there would be no confusion that we were cheering for the “wrong” team.

I couldn’t wait for the Instagram.  I mean… my favorite little people, at my favorite professional sports team in one picture?  Oh yes, let’s frame that one!

My heart was thumping and warmed up.

3. I printed the tickets to the baseball game.

I planned to download the ticket app, but I’m one of those old-fashioned crabs who prints tickets.

I sent the tickets to the printer, and grabbed them right as we were walking out the door.

I glanced at the tickets.

I produced a giant belly-gasp and laugh.  The deep kind of laugh that might also turn into tears if you aren’t careful.

4. I bought tickets to the game alright–which happened to be taking place in another state.

I wished I could say, “Phillip, fire up the plane!” in that moment.

Not sure who Phillip is, but if I ever get a private jet and a pilot, that will be a requirement–a pilot named Phillip.

The tickets revealed:  Atlanta Braves v. Miami Marlins

Marlins Park.

Tonight.

One hour from now.

Miami. Florida.

5. We had an adventure anyway.

After the semi-disbelief, blank stares, and the girl child’s horror–not that the game wasn’t happening–but that I made her take a “wasted nap,” off to Target we went, with the cash for the peanuts and cotton candy.

I pulled something off the shelf, made the purchase and knew that it would be a good night anyway.

As we sat around with Smoothie King, and the board game classic, Clue, I went from Mom Zero to something pretty cool.

Turns out that you can show off mad skills that leave them in awe—- Professor Plum! With the dagger! In the Billiard Room!

And somehow, even though I made a bad decision in a second (“Buy Tickets”), it’s possible to still come out on top with those kids.

I know it won’t last forever, but I am hanging onto the moment while it lasts.