It’s November now, things are pretty much like a roller coaster in my life. I still have my good days and then I have those days that I’m just numb. But the last few months has given me some life, just being a little more lively than before.
First thing, my little man had turned one on September 29.
He is still pretty chill and easy going. Feed him and give him enough sleep, he is a happy camper. Can’t wait for the days when I can play catch with him. Go to all the sporting events and cheer on our favorites teams. We can even just sit at home and catch a game. I’ll also have someone to play video games with! Although it will be nice to be able to do all those things in the future with Lincoln. It can wait, it doesn’t have to come so fast. I see him lying in my arms as I put him to sleep or him laying in bed and dreaming away with no care or worries in the world. Having him run to me when he first sees me, that big smile and infectious laugh he has. I enjoy every bit of him at the moment….so Time, please take it slow because one day he will be to heavy to hold in my arms and too cool to be seen with dad.
Chloe is two and a half now, coming on three very soon.
She is one smart, intelligent, talkative, beautiful, entertaining and charismatic girl. What she know is amazing and entertaining to me, her dancing and singing are my favorites. The things she learns from her daily life. The stuff that comes out of her mouth, it’s surprising what she knows. Of course with all this good, there are times when she a lot to handle. It’s hard to get her to eat, well, it’s hard to get her to eat good and healthy food. She loves french fries and can eat it without us telling her to eat it. But when it comes to healthy good food, it’s like trying to fit a square block in a circle hole. She doesn’t sit still unless we have an iPad in front of her and trying to train her for the potty is another task that is taking forever. But I have a good feeling that she will grow to be very independent, that she can do anything if she wants to and will not be pushed around. Both Chloe and Lincoln will always make me proud to be their father.
They’re the two that makes me keep doing what I am doing and my happiness. Another thing that happened that has made more livelier these past months. The Chicago Cubs, they had a great winning records with over a hundred wins in the season. They have a great team going this year and was predicted to make it all the way to win…..and they did!!
It was an amazing time to watch the entire post-season. Actually I didn’t really watch the game in it’s entirety. Because the stress and anxiousness from each pitch, each at-bat and each inning will take a toll on me. I would sneak a peak of the score on my phone or catch some post on Facebook when something good happens. Then my brother would text me when it is a good result. First team in the post-season, San Francisco Giants. The last time I watched them play in the NLDS was 1989. Cubs didn’t have a chance back then, but this time it was different. Knowing that most of my family in California are Giants fan, this made it all the better. The last game to clinch the series was an amazing game when Cubs came back in the 9th inning to win it all and advance to the NLCS.
There was a wait to see who is the next team to play, Dodgers or Nationals. Dodgers would be nice since it’s another team in California that my family over there roots for and so it was, Cubs vs Dodgers. This series was really special, Cubs down 2-1 in the series. Everyone is thinking that this may not happen, since they will have to face Kershaw again which shut them out earlier. Then remembering 2003, 5 more outs and how close they were to winning the pennant that year, the Steve Bartman incident and Alex Gonzalez fielding error. But all those times were erased when the Cubs win the next three games, the final clinching game at home. All the fans exploded in loud cheers and “Go, Cubs, Go” is blasting. The Cubs win the pennant! It’s been 71 years and now Cubs are going to the World Series to play the Cleveland Indians. Two teams that own the longest drought without winning a World Series. We are starting to believe, this is the year. But being Cubs fans, there is room for disappointment too.
The series starts out in Cleveland, where they take Game 1. Cubs will take Game 2 the following day. The series is all tied now, we see a lot of hope, it will happen, can’t believe how close it is to becoming true that the Cubs will win. The next three games will be at Wrigley! Cubs has the advantage, Cubs can win it all at home! The excitement before Game 3 was crazy but not so after, Cubs lose, the series is now 2-1, advantage Indians. Cubs still has Game 4 and 5 at home, still have a chance. But somehow all those dreams, all the hope, all the talk of “this is the year,” is starting to fade. Cubs lose Game 4, now Indians just need one more win to take the World Series. The disappointment is setting in and the chance to win this will be a miracle being down 3-1. But it can happen, like Kansas City in 1985, they can come back and win it, although this is the Cubs and there is a curse. Game 5 at Wrigley was pretty somber, no expectations. The crowd was less, the cheers were less, Game 5 it quite a nail biter, Cubs hung on to a 3-2 lead and was able to take it. The series is now 3-2, it’s going back to Cleveland for Game 6. Now how can they possibly win in Cleveland?! Well, with the bat of Addison Russell, the Cubs pulled out a huge victory in Game 6 with a 9-3 win! Cubs nation begin to come back to life, starting to believe again. Series is tied, it’s down to one last game.
I have yet to see an entire game and Game 7 will be the same. Cubs made it this far, it’s been a long time coming and it’s down to one final game. We all pray, wish and hope. Harry, Ernie and Ron watching from up above. So it begins Game 7 and the Cubs are on with a lead off home run, then added 5 more runs later on. The score is 6-3 heading into the bottom of the 8th. Just six more outs and we will believe in miracles! Cleveland was able to get some hits and score a run, 6-4. Then we all watched, as our cheers became silent, our hopes crushed, our dreams disappear. How could this happen, Cubs were up, only needed six more outs. Can it be the curse again? How Cubs fan was enjoying the moment earlier knowing the lead the Cubs had is now gone. Chapman gives up a two run homer…..Indians tied the game. I did happen to catch that part of the game, I couldn’t take it and just turned off the game. First I was angry, why did this happen, silently shouting in my head, screaming in my head, why did this happen! I calmed down, went on with what I was doing for work. As much as I lost hope, I still believe that it could happen. 2016 is the year when leads do not mean a thing. OKC Thunder had a 3-1 lead over GS Warriors and they ended up losing to them. Warriors had a 3-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavs and they ended up losing. Cubs were down 3-1 in the series and now they are here. It can happen. So no score in the 9th and then rain happened. A rain delay to prolong the anticipation of who will win this. To make all Cubs fan think of what had happen earlier over and over again….they tied the came, Cubs had the game and the Indians came back to tie it. This rain delay proved to be a blessing because it gave the Cubs a good amount of time to redeem themselves, to rise up again, to overcome the past and continue on. It is not over, it’s just a start of a new game again, all tied up, just like it’s zero to zero. The tarp is gone and everything takes their position. Then all of the sudden the Cubs come alive, one hit, intentional walk, then another hit to bring in the run and finally the last hit to bring in another run. Cubs are up 8-6 and now everyone is glues to the game, because it can not happen a second time, can not lose the lead. Now it’s Indians turn, pitch after pitch we watched, one out…..two more outs left! We sit at the edge of our seats, we continue to pray and wish, two outs now……one more out and the Cubs win! But wait, these Indians do not give up. There is a walk and then a hit, Cubs fans are now thinking not again, this can’t be happening. There is a pitcher change, we all do not blink anymore. First pitch…strike! Second pitch….the batter connects, it bounces towards the third base side. We all hold our breathe as Bryant chargers at the ball, picks its up and tosses it to first while losing his footing. Time stopped, everything flashed through our minds about all that is going on. Our thoughts going at light speed, did Rizzo catch it? Is it an error? Is the runner safe. The camera man catches up with the thrown ball. It hits Rizzo in the glove perfectly….everyone lets out a breathe of air and then awesomeness filled every Cubs fan. CUBS WIN!
How awesome of a feeling that was to have them finally win after all these years. Growing up being a Cubs fan, there is always this disappointment or “There is always next year”. That type of feeling you get when you think Cubs are going to win but comes up short. But not this year, they finally did it. No more talk from other teams, no more “wait til’ next year,” no more wondering how it feels to have them win the World Series title.
November began with some great ups but it only lasted a week. Because on November 8th, it was time to cast your ballot to vote for our next President. Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump….and the rest of November wasn’t the same.
Once again - schan20 