It was November 2nd, 2016 at 9:14 p.m. Mountain Time, and I couldn’t help but think of my mom as I watched Game 7 of the World Series game between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. My mom is a die-hard Cubs fan and has been faithful through all the years of unfortunate loss. I knew for a fact that she was watching this game, but this time she was watching it in the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, Illinois.
In a place filled with uncertain anxiety over the physical state and recovery of her fiancé, there she was sitting in hopeful anticipation that the Cubs would bring home the W.
I called my mom twice during the game. Once when the Indians made their comeback and once in the bottom of the 10th inning. There were two outs and the score was Cubs 8 and Indians 7. You could hear the pure excitement in her voice as she realized what could soon be a reality. I then heard a pause quickly followed by an exclamation that the Cubs had finally won the World Series.
Despite the fact that I have only ever watched a handful of Major League Baseball games in my life, in that moment, I couldn’t help but feel so proud.
Even through the current situation that my mom and her fiancé were facing, she was able to experience a moment of pure joy and relief. They sat in that hospital room with smiles on their faces and an extra spring in their step. And even though that was the first game I had watched the whole season and even though I was 800 miles away, I couldn’t help but celebrate with them. I couldn’t help but be glad and proud that my family was experiencing a moment of joy--even if it was only for a moment.
So, yes. I am a bandwagon fan, but this bandwagon fan is proud to be one. If I were home right now, I would clothe myself in red, white, and blue and journey to Chicago to join in the celebration with thousands of other fans. This bandwagon fan would gladly celebrate with my family and many others that needed to experience such joy brought on by a World Series win.
