Aussie Rules Football provides a backdrop for a romantic gestures parable.
I have a point to make and thought a parable might be in order. Consider, if you will, the following:
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With wedding bells on the horizon, the university sweethearts had decided a trip to Steven’s native Australia was in order. The flight from the States had been long and uneventful and Katie had already made a great impression on his parents. Today, she’d get a chance to meet his rowdy mess of friends and more distant relatives at an impromptu reunion and barbeque in the park.
Recruited by his father to man one of the grills, Steven suggested that Katie mingle and meet the others by joining their impromptu game of “footy” starting on the field. Not knowing enough to know what she didn’t know, and trying to impress, she gladly volunteered. Athletic and competative, she’d played flag football with her brothers for years and played soccer through to Grade 7. They call soccer ‘football’ here, right? She’d happily play a little “footy.”
Katie was quickly added to the “friends” team. Her eyes went wide when she saw the odd shaped ball. Before she could say “I think I’ve made a mistake,” the ball was bounced and play began. The next few minutes were a blur of confusing ball carrying, tackles and dribbling. This game was not like anything she had ever seen before. It was more like kick-tackle-soccer-basketball than anything football she’d ever played. Heavily accented players tried to help her with the rules to no avail. After some brusing and battering, Katie decided to simply run – away from the ball seemed the best option.
Steven’s father, watching amused, leaned into his son’s ear. “She’s beautiful and intelligent but she’s not a very good footy player is she?”
“Hopeless,” replied Steven, wincing.
“I heard that!” yelled Katie as she ran past on the field.
Steven let out an embarassed laugh but deep down his father’s words cut deep. He loved his Australian Rules Football and had hoped his girlfriend would catch his ‘fever.’ Instead, she had let him down.
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I don’t think anyone was being a jerk. I think most of the time people are just “being”. If we all could just accept the fact that everything that is said and done around us doesn’t have to have a deep dark meaning, than we might all be a little happier. Not so exciting that way and that is the problem…we’re all looking for something more!