A Family Affair

I thought about making this an edit to my earlier post. But it's my blog, I'll post as I please.

My mother just called.

"Hi baby boy, your father just called me from work. He wanted me to call you and tell you not to be depressed about the Cubs and to tell you that they're going to win tonight so you shouldn't worry. So tell me baby boy, who's the depressed one?"

Then she laughed, it was one of those laughs that a son longs to hear from his mother. We both agreed that my father was taking this worst of all. His normal cynicism towards the Cubs and optimism that they can always implode has been replaced by unfettered hope. For the first time in my life, my mother and I have the lack of faith. My father is the paragon of hope in our family; this is not the normal state of affairs by any means.

My mother and I comiserated on the phone. We're both better now and have promised each other not to watch the game tonight. We owe it to her grandchildren to survive this night. There's already been one heart attack in our family in the past 10 years. Best not to add to that number because of the Cubs.

And so I wish the Cubs well tonight. Go out and win one. Do it for Harry and Jack Brickhouse. For Mike Royko and his friends. Avenge Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ron Santo's lack of jewelry. And for Ryno, The Sarge and the rest of the 84 team. Do it for your fans. Do it for yourself. Do it for that idiot that interfered with Alou last night. His life is in your hands. Don't let him live his life thinking he cost you guys a trip to the World Series.

Do it for yourselves, guys. I believe in you.