We’re turning the calendar to October. With that, comes the baseball playoffs; exciting times for sure. It would be more exciting if the Cubs were still playing, but… per Hoyer, we’re still waiting for our players to exceed their expectations… how about get better players Jed? Anyways… Yes, with the playoffs, comes the drama; there will be your goats (and no, not Greatest Of All Time) and there will be your heroes. One hero that comes to mind is Mr. October Reggie Jackson. What was his deal after all?
Well, everybody remembers his 3 home run game against the Dodgers in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series that clinched the title. How about a 5 time World Series champ? Yes, it started with a 3-peat in Oakland from 1972-1974, and ended with a back to back with the Yankees in 1977-1978. He hit 10 home runs, drove in 24 runs, and batted .357 in these appearances. Not too shabby. Hall of Famer, MVP, 14x All Star, 2x World Series MVPs… Reggie Jackson was the man. With his postseason prowess, clutching up when it mattered most, he definitely earned that name.
What about Mrs. October? No, I’m not talking about a Playboy magazine from back in the day; do they still make those? Playboys were a big deal when I was a youngster. Once I found out that my Dad was getting these magazines, which were delivered via mail in a black plastic covered packaging, I zoned in. When I found out where he kept them, yeah… OK, enough there. No, I’m definitely not talking about that! What about the WNBA? Honestly, this is the first year I semi paid attention to the league; wonder why… So now I know, that their postseason is taking place during this month. So… if there was a woman in the league that goes crazy, and leads her team to a WNBA title, maybe she would be worthy of this title? Sure.
The person that comes to mind as the calendar turns is my Mom; this was her birthday month. This will be the first birthday without her. I think about her everyday; I miss her everyday. There are times throughout the days where it hits me more than others; going to church on Sunday seems to be a common place where I get “hit”. Other times there’s no pre-warning that a moment is coming, but then bam… it does. Then, there are the times that I know will be bad; her birthday will be one of them. With the holidays, especially Christmas around the corner… this first year road without her is about to get a bit tougher.
Some songs are triggers; there are many lyrics that hit differently today than they hit before… lyrics that lead you to difficult truths… like in The Good Life by Tony Bennett. I had downloaded a bunch of his stuff when he died; go figure. And now… “like the heartaches, when you learn, you must face them alone”… It’s great to have the support system that I do have, but at the end of the day, getting through each day, working through your thoughts and feelings… it’s all you… only you. Good luck to all of us.
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