John took me and the boys to a Staten Island Yankees game yesterday. He began talking to the boys about a baseball game a week or two ago- and he actually came through and put it together. Shocking. I am automatically included in these plans since I don't allow him to be alone with them. Besides that, I like for the boys to have some fun times when we all do something as a family. I think it's important for them to see us being nice and civil and having fun together. Yeah, I know that it's a lie in many senses, but in some ways, it's not a lie. At the game yesterday, I was transported (several times) back to the days of yore... back to the happy days. John and I used to go to Yankee games all the time. Sometimes, we'd go to a game every week. It was a big part of who we were as a couple. One of John's friends was a member of the Yankee Stadium security.. so we were able to buy the "cheap" seats, and usually count on being moved forward to good seats.
Those were the really happy days. I loved those days.
So yesterday, taking it down a notch, to the minor leagues, was a blatant reminder of what we once had.
It's nice to have the minor league park to bring the kids to see what it's all about. Back when the stadium first came to Staten Island, the "best" seats in the house were $8. I was stunned to find that our seats cost $21.00. That made me mad. The tix and all the amenities were cheap in the early days, before they knew whether or not this would fly with the people of Staten Island.
Truthfully, between the cost of walking through the gates, and the cost of food and drinks, I might as well bring the boys to the bleachers in the Bronx!
Now, on to the irony. . . .
John met us at our house. We all walked down the street to the train. We arrived a little less than an hour later at our destination.
Now, let's discuss our destination: St George train station, aka, Staten Island Ferry Terminal, aka, SI Yankee stadium.
What ever direction you're headed, you're kind of herded with the crowds up until it's time to make the decision where you're going to go from the common meeting place.
Once you leave the train station and walk outside, you're met with amazing views. To the right, is the view of downtown Manhattan, with a great view of the Freedom Tower. To your left is a view of the court houses of the Island. The last time I stood in that spot, I was venturing across the street to finalize my divorce, once and for all.
Here's to the irony--- now, here I stood with my (now officially) EX husband and our kids, walking together to a baseball game.
The game was a good time. John bought them every frikkin thing that they asked for.. and I'm glad. He's so absent from them in everyday life, that I would hope he would give them a full on fun-fest when he does show up. And he did. He delivered. Good thing.
As of noon yesterday, I was bracing myself to have to bring the boys to the game myself and buck up for all the costs of the tickets and food and all that goes with it.
I'm relieved that he came through on this one. After all is said and done, I'd have to say it was a good day. (editorialized from dr dre)
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