“The day that I have to wear electronic clothing to stay warm is the day I stay home,” I said to my husband about six months ago. We had endured some cold NFL football games and a few other events over the last couple of years, the kind of painful low temperatures that cause you to think to yourself, in the case of the Seahawks’ games, I’m not going to make it to halftime. But just like being hungry, there is a line you cross where it doesn’t matter anymore. And so I did make it until the final play in the 4th quarter.
On a Sunday in early November, I dressed for the Seahawks’ game against the Commanders in Washington, DC , kickoff 4:05 pm. Because the day had been so beautiful, Mister Rain and I both opted to leave our long underwear in the hotel room drawer. Putting on a long-sleeved t-shirt under my jersey, I grabbed my hoodie “in case I needed it.”
Arriving in the parking lot at Northwest Stadium early, we sat in the comfort of our car until the gates were open. As I stepped out of the passenger door, it didn’t feel too bad. I rolled the sweatshirt as tightly as I could, placing it in my stadium-approved bag “in case I needed it.”
I needed it.
Before the game even started.
I knew I was in trouble before I heard the smack of the ball during kickoff.
I’m not going to make it to halftime.
Hoodie on.
Gloves on.
Crap.
The next morning, while still in bed in room 826, I ordered a new fleece-lined long underwear top and bottom, as well as gloves in the same material.
At Lumen Field in Seattle a few weeks later, I am wearing my new thermal underwear. A blue long-sleeved t-shirt is layered on that, with my jersey on top. Waist down I am in jeans, heavy socks, hiking boots. New fleece-lined gloves are in my pockets, complete with those touchscreen fingertips so I can still use my phone without exposing my digits to the BRRRRR. A Seahawks fleece-lined winter hat is pulled down over my ears, because as our moms told us, you don’t want the heat to escape out of the top of your head. The hoodie is once again rolled up in my bag.
Now, I am cautiously optimistic that I will make it to halftime. After my husband plugs me into a charger in the concourse like a Prius before the third quarter begins, that is. Gotta power up my new heated vest, zipped under my jersey. That’s right, I did the thing I said I would never do.
It is surprising that the jersey fits over all the clothing levels underneath it. Especially considering all my words I have had to eat.
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #writer #writersofinstagram #humaninterest #life #lifeisgood #lifestories #itmaynotbehellbutsomethinghasfrozenover
