The CUBS

First off. I was not there for most of this. Mark took an epic trip to Chicago with his brothers. It was a dream come true for all of them and I guarantee any one of them would happily regale you with the details of the pain and glory that ensued. 

But, none of these guys are willing to write this blog post. sooo.....

Just the facts, ma'am!

There was a feeling all season that the Cubs were going to get another shot at the World Series. Everytime I walked by a paper in Price Chopper, it seemed there was a headline about how awesome the Cubs were doing this year.  We were abuzz!

And then they did it. It was really happening. The brothers began plotting a meet-up in Chicago. 

Game 1: Cubs lost. No!

Game 2: Cubs win. The first Series game win since 1945. Sweet rewards.

Game 3: Indians take another win. Why is this happening?

Game 4:  The boys meet up in Chicago, and heaven only knows how, they found a hotel room. 

They coordinate their outfits.

And they head out to see the citay.

I think their dad helped design this building? Yes no?

Getting cozy on the L

Enjoying the energy of the crowds outside Wrigley field. I can imagine the fun of just being there and hearing the crowds mill about with excitement. These people have been waiting 108 years for this opportunity, their not sitting at home, watching it on television. No sir.


Game 3 was a devastating loss. This puts the Indians only one game away from winning the series. These are not good odds. Not good at all. Makes a person feel nervous all the time, a permanent knot in your stomach.

The boys take the next day to visit their old childhood home in Crystal Lake. Or at least text in front of it.

And of course, walk the path that they walked many times to their elementary school. I admit, this is a pretty fantastic path.

Look at these big boys in front of their old elementary school!

The made their way out to the cemetery where their dad was buried.

This is the first time all of the brothers have been there together since his funeral.

Game 4, they decided to get into that stadium. They found a fellow selling ticket and they all forked over $$ to get them. They knew it could be a scam, so Mat stayed behind and stood with him while the other brothers went to confirm if they were real tickets. To their disappointment, the tickets were fake and just as they were calling Mat to let him know the guy was a crook, he took off and disappeared into the crowd. They were pretty devastated. Again they'd have to listen to the cubs lose outside the stadium. 

Eventually they had had enough of the disappointment and took the train back to their hotel room. As stepped off, they saw the restaurant. It felt like Rock Bottom.

Game 5 day. Mat decided enough was enough. He bought tickets. He gave them to his brothers and we shall never know how much money he laid down for them. He said not to ask questions. And we won't. They were going to the game.

And they won.

THEY WON!!!!

Dreams do come true. We live to fight another day. These brothers made memories they'll never forget. I have a feeling that anyone of them could tell you the story and make you laugh and cry for happiness. And I'm told that Jim has written down, so good gravy, somebody ask him for it! It's worth telling!

The boys flew home to their families and we watch with delight, anticipation and terror as the Cubs won game 6 in Cleveland. The very possibility that this could happen becomes all consuming. 

Game 7 arrives and Mark and the boys watch with nervousness and the hope that miracles can happen. I can't stay in the room for more than a few minutes. I'm sure I'll jinx it! 

I am occasionally persuaded to come by and hunt for Almond Joys in Mathew's Halloween stash.

A game changing rain delay and 10 innings later and the Cubs had broken a 118 year losing streak and made my husband cry for joy and my two warring boys hug and jump up and down. We'll never forget it!

We're proud to be Cubbies! Fly the W!!