Member-only story
When my daughter turned fourteen the thing she most wanted was to go to a Sonics game with three of her friends. At the Tacoma dome. This wouldn’t have been a big problem for anyone else. But for me it was hard to even think about.
I wanted to give her her greatest wish, but ever since a nervous breakdown some years before, it was a challenge to keep my cool whenever faced with very large crowds. I never knew when I’d start shaking or stuttering. But I decided it might be time to let go of past limitations and push myself a little.
When the day came, we piled into the car, made our way to the Tacoma Dome and into the stands. It was fine. I was fine. Lots of happy fans getting ready to see a basketball game between the Seattle Supersonics and the New Jersey Nets. Got the girls all set with their hot dogs and fries and sodas, and settled in.
As the game got underway, I was astounded by the world of basketball. Holy mother of God, this was one of the most exciting things I’d ever seen! Having never been to any sports event before, maybe it was beginners luck that I got to see a particularly exciting game. They kept trading the lead, never more than 2 or 3 points apart. If you follow sports of any kind, I’m sure you live for this kind of game.
