So a funny thing happened last week. Something I have never seen, most people alive have never seen. And something most people assumed they would never see:
The Chicago Cubs became World Series champions.
What’s this got to do with me, you might be asking? Well, nothing, and a lot of things. In no particular order, here are the ways you have been affected.
1. While you won’t remember it in your adult lives, October of 2016 was a month that was probably not too pleasant to be around papa and was definitely not pleasant for mama. The emotional ups and downs made for a sometimes tense house. This is something (I hope) you will never understand. Already in your lifetime, the Cubs have won the World Series. So let’s assume you become massive, irrational Cubs fans like your father, at least you won’t be 41 years old watching your favorite team compete for the trophy for the first time. Yes, you were too young to see this one, but you were alive. It happened. There will be a DVD, or whatever media is popular for you. It wasn’t in your 41st year of life. Let’s hope you have a much more measured approach to being a fan.
2. You both wore a lot of Cubbie blue this year. For some strange reason when you both were born, I thought to myself I would not transfer my sports fandom to you. You were not born and raised in Chicagoland. I believe in being loyal to the team you grew up with and undoubtedly that will not be a group of Chicago teams. Thankfully though, Portland does not have an MLB, NHL or NFL franchise..so at least the Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks and Bears are in the running. I’ll be happy if you cheer for the Timbers and won’t be disappointed if you like the Blazers. Just please, no Seattle teams…ok?
3. Not a whole lot of cartoons playing on the TV at night during the month of October.
4. Again, assuming you become Cubs fans (no guarantee of that), there is an identity you won’t have. I am not sure if this is good or bad. Loving something that never quite loves you back is character building. Loyalty is learned. Patience is learned. There’s a payoff at the end, or at least possibility of a payoff that is bigger and better than any lottery win. It’s like moving to heaven after living in hell.
5. It’s not all bad, for the next several months, I’ll be flying high..maybe there’s a few more things you can get away with (Genki, I’m looking at you, just don’t go overboard).
In the end, it’s a good time to say thank you to you both and most importantly your mama who not only put up with me during the month of October, but genuinely got into it. I am happy I could share this happiness with you .
