A Baseball Fan to be remembered
2014bestservice
Posts: 621 ✭✭✭✭
She was there in the stands every game,,,,, quiet, unassuming, not one to bother others. A woman of quiet dignity, full of remarkable patience & an inner joy at seeing children at play, this fan was hardcore. No game went by where she was not present in the stands. Even at the expense of sleep, or of physical hardship required of a lupus sufferer, this fan let nothing interfere with the game itself. She taught herself its basics, not wanting to upset the pureness by inviting stats or meaningless explanations into the equation.
The joy of seeing one of her own children play the game was there, but mostly she enjoyed the games themselves. New England baseball had a way of showing the games pureness by its short season, its fluky & sometimes inclement weather, and its food. No fancy vegetarian mixes, no made up fake microwaved item, just baseball pure hotdogs, hamburger or cheeseburgers, and the occasional sausage & peppers were allowed. Gum was prohibited, instead licorice was allowed in its place. Soda was okay, water was preferred, and no one could tell her where to sit she had her spot well before they even arrived.
The fan made every game each child's career,,,, and despite the differences in success enjoyed by each child, the fan made it seem they all were all-star & multiple MVP players. The fan complimented teammates, always making sure the opposing teams mothers were remembered by name, dishing out the good will so everyone felt it did not matter what the final score amounted to. And it worked,,,,,
The fan saw her last game in the mid 80's,,,, all her children grown and into adulthood, she retreated to the couch. Her health had always been an issue,,,, lupus sufferers have good days & they have horrible days. A good day is one the pain is controllable by meds,,,,, a bad one where only prescribed high level pain killers could mask the suffering. The fan endured it all,,,,, very few knew of her suffering so skilled was she at masking it. No one suspected that every game she attended for her children required usage of what she called "spoons"--- and she had few of those yet used them all for her children.
The fan was happy she had succeeded at doing the right things,,,, and her many admirers ratified that view,,,,,,
The fan watched as succeeding generations began to lose the pureness factor,,,,, cell phones at first, then more insidious devices ,,,,, the fan was mortified to see others more intent on answering some meaningless email than watching a moment to remember in their child's life go by,,,,, how could the other fans remember the look on the child's face if they were occupied with distractions? This saddened the fan,,,, yet she maintained hope some would keep the purity there,,, somehow, someway,,,,,
The fan gave to the world everything they could give,,,, and to this admirer,,, more than they could ever repay,,, teaching baseball at its purest and a level of sportsmanship & conduct few today possess,,,,,,
Why do I tell the world this stuff?
The fans health had declined further,,,,, until last night on Nov 16th, 2010 at 6:16 pm Eastern time,,,, the heart of this fan could go no further and gave out,,,,
The fan was my mother,,,, God rest her soul --- and I hope others had a fan like her,,,,, she will be missed by this baseball fan for the rest of my life,,,,,
Jeff
The joy of seeing one of her own children play the game was there, but mostly she enjoyed the games themselves. New England baseball had a way of showing the games pureness by its short season, its fluky & sometimes inclement weather, and its food. No fancy vegetarian mixes, no made up fake microwaved item, just baseball pure hotdogs, hamburger or cheeseburgers, and the occasional sausage & peppers were allowed. Gum was prohibited, instead licorice was allowed in its place. Soda was okay, water was preferred, and no one could tell her where to sit she had her spot well before they even arrived.
The fan made every game each child's career,,,, and despite the differences in success enjoyed by each child, the fan made it seem they all were all-star & multiple MVP players. The fan complimented teammates, always making sure the opposing teams mothers were remembered by name, dishing out the good will so everyone felt it did not matter what the final score amounted to. And it worked,,,,,
The fan saw her last game in the mid 80's,,,, all her children grown and into adulthood, she retreated to the couch. Her health had always been an issue,,,, lupus sufferers have good days & they have horrible days. A good day is one the pain is controllable by meds,,,,, a bad one where only prescribed high level pain killers could mask the suffering. The fan endured it all,,,,, very few knew of her suffering so skilled was she at masking it. No one suspected that every game she attended for her children required usage of what she called "spoons"--- and she had few of those yet used them all for her children.
The fan was happy she had succeeded at doing the right things,,,, and her many admirers ratified that view,,,,,,
The fan watched as succeeding generations began to lose the pureness factor,,,,, cell phones at first, then more insidious devices ,,,,, the fan was mortified to see others more intent on answering some meaningless email than watching a moment to remember in their child's life go by,,,,, how could the other fans remember the look on the child's face if they were occupied with distractions? This saddened the fan,,,, yet she maintained hope some would keep the purity there,,, somehow, someway,,,,,
The fan gave to the world everything they could give,,,, and to this admirer,,, more than they could ever repay,,, teaching baseball at its purest and a level of sportsmanship & conduct few today possess,,,,,,
Why do I tell the world this stuff?
The fans health had declined further,,,,, until last night on Nov 16th, 2010 at 6:16 pm Eastern time,,,, the heart of this fan could go no further and gave out,,,,
The fan was my mother,,,, God rest her soul --- and I hope others had a fan like her,,,,, she will be missed by this baseball fan for the rest of my life,,,,,
Jeff
0
Comments
What a wonderful tribute to what must have been a most remarkable woman.
Ron
Brought tears to my eyes.
RIP
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
It was my HONOR to read about this GREAT Baseball Fan! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Currently collecting 1934 Butterfinger, 1969 Nabisco, 1991 Topps Desert Shield (in PSA 9 or 10), and 1990 Donruss Learning Series (in PSA 10).
Good luck jeff.
My Heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time.
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Your words showed so much passion and it reminded me of being 12 and looking over and seeing my mom in the stands smiling at me.
Thank you for sharing such a moving tribute.
Peace be with your family at this time
Jim
MULLINS5,1966CUDA,nam812,nightcrawler,OAKESY25,PowderedH2O,relaxed,RonBurgundy,samsgirl214,shagrotn77,swartz1,slantycouch,Statman,Wabittwax
"Molon Labe"
A beautiful tribute to an amazing woman...
Keep her in your heart and she will always be with you.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
I'm typing this with tears in my eyes from reading it. It just so happens that today is the anniversary of my grandmother's death in 1977. Yes, it's been 33 years, but I still wish she was around. My mom died in 2003, and I also wish she was still here. They say time heals all wounds, but that's really a lie. The wound never heals, you just learn more each day on how to deal with it.
It sounds like you've got great memories of your mother. Hold them close to your heart and use them to help you smile or even laugh. Also, be thankful you had her for so long, and that she's no longer in any pain. She's up there looking over you and smiling.
Take care,
Steve
Thought it fitting to post again so I can remember what I need to remember,,,,,
My thoughts and prayers go out to my fellow board members who lost loved one's this year,,,,,,
No words can express the pain ,,,, no amount of grief stricken lamentation can put into words what the loss means,,,,,
All I can say is the pain won't leave,,,,won't lessen,,,, but it can be endured and used to focus us where we need to be,,,,
And the pie hole who said talking about pain helps heal is someone I wanna
May you all have just as big a fan as I had,,,,,,
God bless,,,,,
Jeff
Jeff, my thoughts are with you today. I lost my dad in 2003, not a day goes by i dont think of him.
Below is a poem I found that I hold close to my heart. With Christmas coming up I thought it deserved to be posted. Its tugs on the tears everytime i read it.
I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on cold wintry nights.
I still share your hopes
and all your cares
I'll even remind you
to please say all your prayers.
I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above all the crowd.
Keep trying each moment
to stay in His grace
I came here before you
to help set your place.
You don't have to be
perfect all the time
He forgives you the slip
if you continue to climb.
To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
in a new special way.
I love you all dearly
now don't shed a tear
cause I'm spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
I wasn't a member of this forum last year, so today was the first time that I read your tribute. Thank you for sharing, and God bless you.
Kevin
"Molon Labe"
God bless you all,,,, enjoy Turkey Day and spend time with what family/friends you can,,,,,
I'll be letting a local casino cook our Turkey Day meal,,,, too tired from my new job doing casino security/surveillance to care enough to cook for the wife ,,,,, and her lymphoma issues as far as I am concerned take her out from the responsibility of cooking for me,,,, so we'll let them handle the job and just sit & enjoy a hot meal,,,,,
Frankly I'm thankful to be able to come to the boards and just read about life, cards, and whatever pops up,,,,, its a nice distraction for me and frankly even headache posters take the brain off the stressful stuff,,,,,
God bless all,,,
Jeff
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>Jeff ... enjoy your casino cooked meal. How is your wife doing? I will keep her in my prayers. >>
Appreciate the thoughts Doug thank you ,,,,,,
Last infusion was yesterday-- small celebration today by the wife she's sick of being stuck with needles
Great meal at the Paris buffet just got back from it ( used points saved up throughout the year for it),,,,,, we are stuffed although neither of us could touch the stuffing ,,,,,,
Wife feels more energy although we have trouble keeping her iron levels up even with iron infusions ( no one knows why),,,,,,,, her weights dropped from 256 down to a more svelte 151 and 10 dress sizes less--she's a happy girl although being sick wasn't her #1 desired option for weight loss !!
She's back to feeling better about herself but wants to get the pain shot she's had in her spine again ( she's been receiving betamethasone acetate for pain management in her lower spine & legs),,,,,,, girls a damn trooper,,,, one tough cookie,,,,,
Just did a crap load of consignment selling in October that helped us out,,,, got my bronze power seller status back and my ratings helped me get the top rated badge now,,,,
If I can manage more than a couple hours to do some scanning can start selling cards again and maybe catch up on the medical bills now that I'll get the discount,,,,,,,,,,
A few months behind on everything, financially we are strapped due to having to pay medical co pays until we hit the $5000 max, but hey no ones taken the car or the cable/internet/phone away so life is good
JEFF
This year I'd like to help out a few kids in remembrance of all Mom did for me being at those games.
If you have a child who collects cards , or know of one, send me a mailing address and I'll try and send them some freebies as I get time.
Shoot me an email at my email address ( see link) and I'll fire them off in the next couple of weeks.
Jeff
Brought tears to my eyes.
RIP
+1
Jeff I understand this first hand. I lost my mom back in January . MY mom went to every game of mine.
This was a wonderful wright up. Thank you for sharing it!
A MOM like we had are hard to come by.