Cubs Win the World Series

Well, I finally have a few minutes to process my thoughts.  I would not say I'm an avid Cubs fan but I am a consistent Cubs fan.  My first major league baseball game was at Wrigley field with my Grandpa Jerry, my Dad and my Aunt Joyce.  It was a beautiful summer day and I experienced my family's love for the Cubbies and my love (wonderful for a eight or nine year old little girl) for the Chocolate Frosty Malt eaten with a wooden paddle.  It was a great adventure and I don't even remember if the Cubs won but we had a lot of fun.  This year I made sure my family made it to a game Wrigley Field to continue the tradition in an epic year for our Cubbies.  We got our picture in front of the Wrigley Field sign again and Arietta and Cubbies put on a great show for us against the Pirates.

Growing up, while in season, I remember many a ballgame being broadcast on the radio in the garage, or on the TV in family living rooms.  Often with the men folk hovering nearby between activities.  If the Cubs were on then someone was listening.  My kids are taking in some of the same sports noise at our house, although it's mostly with their Dad watching the Royals, Tottenham soccer, or Husker/Cowboys football depending on the season.  The great thing about sports is that is brings

people together, even if we aren't cheering for the same teams.  What a wonderful experience to watch the Royals play to the World Series the last two years, and then to see the Beloved Cubbies as my great grandma would say, play to win the World Series this year.

You see I am at least a fourth generation Cubs fan.  I learned a lot about my family history through the three playoff series with the Cubs this year. I have captured some of the quotes below that my Aunts and Cousins posted and I lead with my favorite, which was a story I hadn't heard yet.

Posted by my Dad's sister Joyce - "This Cubs winning the World Series is so emotional for me. My grandfather Ed and my dad went to Wrigley to see the 1945 Cubs play while my mom, newly engaged, went wedding dress shopping in Marshall Fields. Ed and Clara raised 6 children all diehard Cub fans. Now they finally get to see this in heaven and Aunt Rhode and Uncle Arnie still with us today. FLY the W. Grandpa Ed have your shot and chase it with a beer in heaven."

Posted by my Dad's cousin Nancy C. "Was thinking of all of them while watching the game. It is a wonder we didn't have thunder from the cheers from heaven."

Posted by my Dad's cousin Christine - "Today I am grateful for this woman, Julia Byrne Noll, who instilled in me the love of the Chicago Cubs. She would sit in the living room with a baseball game on TV and listening to another on her little transistor radio. It was usually her beloved Cubs. For my Dad and Mom who bought a Cub baseball hat for me even when it wasn't cool for a girl to wear a baseball hat or collected baseball cards with my cousin Mike, Laurie, Heather. Lots of emotion today."

Posted by my Dad's cousin Katherine CUBS WIN! Grandma Noll would be thrilled." 

Posted by my Dad's cousin Judy - "Omg the Cubbies did it! My grandma is doing a jig in heaven."

Posted by my Cousin Phil - "The 3 biggest Cubs fans that I know that were not available to Celebrate with me tonight, that I know are going crazy in heaven tonight!!!   RIP... James (Shoe Boy) White"

Posted by my Cousin Cyndy - "Thank you Cubs!!  Many people have asked me, "Why are you a Cubs fan? They never win, why do you stick with them?  My theory is this: The Cubs won the World Series in 1908.  They went to the World Series in 1945.  In 1945, my Grandpas were fighting in WWII.  Back home families were waiting for news of their loved ones. To keep their minds off of the war, the families back home, had something to hope for, something to cheer for, something to take their minds off of the bad times.  Our families and friends had passion, hope for something and patience. That has passed down from generation-to generation. Thank you Grandpa George & Grandpa Bob for watching games on WGN with us, listening on the radio, taking us to games and sticking with them through thick and thin.  Grandpa George, Grandpa Bob, Jimmy I know you are dancin'. Thanks for the fun, memories and ups-and-downs we shared together. Grandma GiGi you made it!  Now: WE WON!  Cubbies thank you!!!!"

So you can see what an emotional, sleep deprived adventure this has been for my family (both sides), and for families like mine around the country.  We lost many a wonderful Cubs fan over the years but we gained a lifetime community.  I suspect the rain delay of game 7 was tears from Heaven from the Cubs fans gone before us at the blown lead.  It ended up giving them time to regroup, gather strength and energy from generations of Cubs fans watching and listening eagerly around the country.  We may never see this again in our lifetime (although they could have a fantastic team again next year!!) but the joy, and love and history of this Cubbies World Series win will carry us through any rough years that we may encounter in the future, because it isn't important that the Cubs win.  What is important is the love and community of our nationwide Cubbie family.

 

So I leave you with "Go Cubs go, go Cubs go, hey Chicago what'd ya say, the Cubs are gonna win today"! 🏆  #FlytheW