Let's Pretend!

Do you remember spending hours on end dressing up in your mom's clothes and jewelry as a little girl? Or playing house or school? I was always playing pretend. I loved to get lost in fantasy world. I would spend hours and hours with my sisters, friends and cousins playing school, doctor, house - it brings back so many fond memories. I think most little girls spend their childhood playing pretend. It is almost like we are preparing ourselves for the future - to be a mother, wife, teacher, doctor, etc. We are striving for something that we would like to be. As we get older we don't have to pretend because it becomes our reality in some fashion.

So, I ask you this, when is the last time you played pretend? I don't mean dreaming that you had millions of dollars or were dating Brad Pitt. When is last time you and your friends or siblings got together and spent an afternoon pretending to be a princess or doctor? And playing with a younger child, friend or relative does not count....for most it has been many, many years.

Well, if I were to ask my husband this, he could confidently say - 2 days ago. Those that know Mike may be thinking he just had a reunion game of Dungeons and Dragons. It was not. He joined the ranks of approximately 37 million Americans, primarily men , who will partake in fantasy football, according to Challenger Gray & Christmas Inc., a Chicago based business consulting firm. These men have decided that it is not enough to just be a fan and watch non-stop football until February. No, they need to manage and coach these players- even if it is just pretend.

So, it is about this time of year that I join the many woman to become a Fantasy Football Widow - good bye Sunday afternoon projects or Monday night time together. Weekends will not be productive. And forget using the computer around game time. He needs to makes his picks. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy football season. I like the gatherings and cheering for the Bears. I even try to involve myself and learn his fantasy players and root for some player that I have never heard of so that he will get this one touchdown to win. I find some humor in this pretend world that these grown men partake in. I struggle to find a parallel for women - not sure that there is one that consumes so many of us, but correct me if I am wrong. I believe that it is good clean fun and I am happy they have this outlet. Although, I would be lying if didn't say I was a bit envious!!