My 2009 Lenten Sacrifice
As a good little Catholic, I've always prided myself on making a significant sacrifice in the name of Lent - none greater than each of the last two years.
In 2007, I gave up going to Wisconsin. While it was definitely tough resisting the urge to drive up route 93 to Logan Airport and hit the next flight to Milwaukee, I made a promise, a promise that wasn't to be broken - not even for my never-dormant desire to go to Wisconsin all the time. It was tough, but I learned multiple lessons, among them "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they can't hold a shit to those who give up going to Wisconsin." Powerful.
In 2008, I gave up colonoscopies. At the beginning of Lent, I vowed - with all my heart - that for the next 40 days, I would NOT get a colonoscopy, and I went through with that promise. The Bible tells of Jesus's 40 days in the desert where he resisted food or water, as well as a happy, fulfilling life with Mary Magdalene in which they would have ruled the universe. But would he have turned down a colonoscopy? Who knows? I did.
This year, with a lot of thought, prayer, and guidance from the Lord, I have decided to sacrifice attending WNBA games for the good of my being. Will there be days when I wake up sweating in the middle of the night, whispering to myself, "Must...hit the front row...of the next New York Liberty game...must...watch...disgusting females, shoot...basketballs...that would be blocked into the fourth row...by your average, eighth...grader....ahhhhhhh."? Yes, of course there will be those nights. That is to be expected. But it's what Lent is all about, and I promise, over the next 40 days, I will NOT be near any WNBA game. You all have my word.
I will need my friends and family's help during these troubling but necessary times. Those who are close to me must keep me away from Scituate Youth Center fourth grade games at the High School, because the sight of a forced, awful shot that only hits backboard from six feet away could lead to a potentially devastating relapse at the next Connecticut Sun game.
In 2007, I gave up going to Wisconsin. While it was definitely tough resisting the urge to drive up route 93 to Logan Airport and hit the next flight to Milwaukee, I made a promise, a promise that wasn't to be broken - not even for my never-dormant desire to go to Wisconsin all the time. It was tough, but I learned multiple lessons, among them "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they can't hold a shit to those who give up going to Wisconsin." Powerful.
In 2008, I gave up colonoscopies. At the beginning of Lent, I vowed - with all my heart - that for the next 40 days, I would NOT get a colonoscopy, and I went through with that promise. The Bible tells of Jesus's 40 days in the desert where he resisted food or water, as well as a happy, fulfilling life with Mary Magdalene in which they would have ruled the universe. But would he have turned down a colonoscopy? Who knows? I did.
This year, with a lot of thought, prayer, and guidance from the Lord, I have decided to sacrifice attending WNBA games for the good of my being. Will there be days when I wake up sweating in the middle of the night, whispering to myself, "Must...hit the front row...of the next New York Liberty game...must...watch...disgusting females, shoot...basketballs...that would be blocked into the fourth row...by your average, eighth...grader....ahhhhhhh."? Yes, of course there will be those nights. That is to be expected. But it's what Lent is all about, and I promise, over the next 40 days, I will NOT be near any WNBA game. You all have my word.
I will need my friends and family's help during these troubling but necessary times. Those who are close to me must keep me away from Scituate Youth Center fourth grade games at the High School, because the sight of a forced, awful shot that only hits backboard from six feet away could lead to a potentially devastating relapse at the next Connecticut Sun game.
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