Let me preface this post by saying that when Oscar first suggested (begged) me to watch Friday Night Lights with him, I proceeded to respond in my usual girly, nose-turned-up way. “Ugh, you want me to watch a show about football? I hate football,” I protested.
“But it’s not just about football!”
There couldn’t be more truth to that.
Sure, it IS about football. It’s about a small Texas town who loves them some high school football, because, well, that’s about all there is to do there. But it’s also about relationships, and what’s important in maintaining them, both high school and family relationships. Oscar and I finished the series a year or so ago, but I’m re-watching it now because a.) we don’t have cable, and b.) because it’s that good!
When watching it, I became personally smitten with lead actress Connie Britton, who plays Coach Taylor’s wife, Tami. To be clear, I don’t think it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to look like Tami Taylor in about 15 years (or ever). She knows how to charm a room with a hair swoosh and a “Hi y’all.” But the thing that I loved most about watching her character was her determination and the importance she placed on family. 
Watching her interact with the kids at Dillon High fueled my desire to make a difference in kids’ lives, and the first time we watched it, I was deep in the throes of my grad school application. While I’m not entirely sure that’s the direction I want to go in anymore, I can still have an impact on my own children’s lives. And actually, I get to teach and train new WebOps at my current job, so that kind of fills that hole. And every time I hear positive feedback from them on how I’ve helped in some way keeps me focused and energized.
Even Tami Can’t Have it All
Watching Tami try to juggle a family, her job, and everything else makes me realize that even the most together moms don’t have it together. She and Coach Taylor have REAL fights about REAL things that can relate to, and I feel like slightly less of a screw-up when I try to compare myself to other moms who seem to have a everything its place, creating crafts, baking homemade desserts and somehow still managing to find time to PIN ALL THE THINGS and keep the floors dog hair-free.
The last week or so has been tremendously stressful because Grayson has been out of school with first one ear infection, and now a second ear infection. If it weren’t for his amazing sets of grandparents I don’t know how I’d get anything done, honestly. I’m lucky that I can work from home if need be, but I hate doing that because I need to have my work life and home life separate. I’m looking forward to the week of Christmas so that I can veg out, maybe actually attempt some baking, and of course, finish up the series for a second time.
Have you seen Friday Night Lights? Do you love it, too? Let’s discuss: “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose” as best catchphrase ever. AND GO.
(Don’t miss an upcoming post when I wax philosophical on Battlestar Galactica. Probably.)
0 Comments