It will come back to bite you

Many years ago, while going through a divorce and an identity crisis, I dated someone who was obsessed with Nascar. You know, those cars with ads plastered all over them, driving around in circles?  Deep down I really didn't like any of it. It was noise and air pollution all rolled into one big drunkfest. I went with him to the race at the Texas Motor Speedway, and then a few months later we even went to Vegas to see one there. Every weekend in between we would watch the races on TV.  I got to know all the drivers, their personalities and who sponsored their cars. I knew the cities of all the racetracks and how big or small each track is. I even picked a favorite just to be able to get into it more:  Terry Labonte, who was from Texas and drove the yellow M&M car. When I throw myself into something, I will learn about it to the point of obsession.

But that relationship fell apart, as most rebounding ones do. After the initial depression, I began to feel overjoyed that I didn't have to pretend to like something so much anymore.  I walked away and never looked back. I'd sometimes hear discussions about it but my brain would just shut down at the mere mention of it. It really taught me a lesson about knowing who you are, being honest about what you like and don't like, and that it's ok for people in a couple to like completely different things. I vowed I would never pretend to like something again.

My sister-in-law married a huge Nascar fan. So talk of upcoming races and results began to creep into family discussions at birthdays and holiday events.  Then they did the most horrible thing. They had the boys over a couple of times to spend the night.  Gabriel sat and watched the races with Michael. He became more curious and at the same time found a site on You Tube that both glorifies and  makes fun of Nascar. So every weekend we look up when and where the race is. He's made a master list to keep up with the drivers and their sponsors. Oh good grief.

Now, because Jojo worships the ground his brother walks on, he knows most of the drivers too.      Much of our dinner table talk revolves around the race. I'm being honest with them and stating that   it's just not one of my favorite sports. But I try to listen to Gabriel's excited chatter about where the race is, and sometimes even remember some facts about things that he is impressed by. I never thought any of it would come up ever again. But this is so different because it's my son. Who I love so much I will even subject myself to a forbidden subject if he seems to love it that much. And he  really does.  Time to learn those sponsors all over again.