A couple of weekends ago, many fans of the rock band Avenged Sevenfold were really upset when the band did not appear to open for Metallica in Philadelphia. The band was forced to cancel when guitarist Synyster Gates’ wife went into labor and he flew home to be present for the birth of their first child. I can only imagine how much worse the discord would have been had it been a member of Metallica.
Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, a former NBA player with the Indiana Pacers and current head coach for Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian League was being questioned by a reporter for allowing one of his players to leave, during the midst of his team’s semi-finals games nonetheless, to attend the birth of his first child. Firstly, Jasikevicius’ initial expression was priceless. You could all but hear him think Did that asshole really just ask me this bullshit? His spoken response was condescending to the reporter, but frankly he had it coming. It was a stupid question, clearly intended to start some drama, that backfired and the reporter ended up getting schooled as the kids say.
Life happened, literally.
Granted, musicians only tour every few years as new music drops. Concert fans can pay a lot of money to view their favorites bands live, still it was a concert.
Sports fans have more potential for access to their favorite players and when it’s crunch time I understand fans want the best players front and center, still it was a game.
This is playing a semi-final game or performing at a concert compared to bringing new life into the world for the first time. I might have more sympathy to those upset by this were it the third, fourth, fifth baby. Clearly you get how it works by then, but the for first time. If the partner has the chance to be there, and s/he wants to be there, then s/he should be there – period.
I would have liked to hope that even most those who choose not to have children, or those who have been there done that, can at least have some empathy, but as always, social media snatched the rose-colored glasses off of that fantasy — quick. That this is even a question for some people as to why at least a first time-parent would want to drop everything and be there, honestly kind of appalls me.
Kudos to the fans in Philly who were understandably disappointed, but took it in stride. Kudos to Jasikevicius who understands that a player’s personal needs will sometimes trump his professional ones.
Priorities:
— Some people have them.
— Some people at least understand them.
— Some people really need to seriously get theirs in order.
<>==========<>==========<>
Writing Our Lives #52essays2017 Challenge – Week 21
A year-long weekly personal essay/memoir/creative nonfiction writing challenge. To learn more about this challenge or to participate, check out Vanessa Martir’s website and learn about it.
<>==========<>
It’s Slice of Life Tuesday – let’s see how others are slicing it up:
Raivenne-lations 
Well said. It seems to me that not only do those critics lack empathy but somehow there is lack of connection to life, appreciation for family, and such. So sad.
I sometimes think the media isn’t happy unless it is stirring up trouble. After all, good news doesn’t sell – unfortunately.
As I read this, the song “Beth” by Kiss returned to mind – about the demands on professional musicians, the toll on family life and relationships. Success comes with a high price – for athletes as well, for all who must spend hours daily in training and traveling to perform their calling. Congrats to the families, to the dads who made time to be there for their own, and to the supportive coach.