Fly The W!

 I love the Chicago Cubs.  Back in the day when TBS carried Braves games, most people in the south followed them because they’re the southern team. I always preferred watching the Cubs on WGN.  I loved Harry Carey!  And I guess I just wanted to be different!  

In 1999, I had to make a business trip to Chicago.  I took the family and we went to a Cubs game.  We sat in the right field bleachers at Wrigley with all the “Bleacher Bums”!  Between innings, the outfielders would warm up and throw the warmup ball into the bleachers. Sammy Sosa was the right fielder, and he was still competing for the homerun title. Between innings once, Stephen and Lee went to the restroom and Dan stayed with us.  When Sammy finished warming up, he tossed the ball into the bleachers again and this time Dan got it!  His brothers were so jealous!  We buried that ball with him a year later.  

As I’ve told you, I’m turning 70 next month. And I want recognition and celebration!  Susan was being a little coy about my birthday.  I thought she was planning a surprise party for me.  A couple of weeks ago I just asked her.  She said, no, I have something better in mind.

She is taking me to Chicago next week to see the Cubs!  I’m so excited!  We’re going to spend 3 days in Chicago and then go to Milwaukee. She was born in Milwaukee and wants to see where she was born. It’s a wonderful gift and it has made me so happy. 

But it will be a bittersweet trip as well. You see, Monday, August 18, is the 25th anniversary of Dan’s death.  It’s going to be a hard day.  It’s been a hard month.  I can’t believe he’s been gone 25 years. I almost said no, I can’t go.  But I started thinking that it’ll be okay.  I know Dan will be with me. I feel his presence often, especially when I go to places he enjoyed.  

I’m going to try to focus on good memories and not the sad ones. Yes, I’ll be a little sad, but I’m used to it.  I plan to enjoy my trip and my time with Susan.  

I just hope the Cubs can break out of their slump!  

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