My Mom’s Gone, and the Dodgers Won the Pennant
Do you ever have some great news you want to share with someone special and realize they aren’t there anymore? You know they would share your excitement, be so happy for you, and you would feel so loved and encouraged.
That’s how I felt as I watched the Dodgers win game #7 for a chance to become world champions. It’s only a game, right? What’s the big deal about a silly baseball game? Mostly because I haven’t been an L.A. fan for quite a while.
My mom was a long, long, long, and very long-time passionate Dodger fan. From the time she was a young girl, she followed the team through its ups and downs. I remember listening to her yell at the players (she knew them all), call plays, and cheer them on.
When I visited her for the last time, she was excitedly awaiting game time. She would sit in her oversized recliner hooked up to her oxygen—riveted for the nine innings of play.
When the playoffs started, I got hooked on watching the games. Because the Dodgers were notorious for taking it so far so many times only to lose at the crucial moment, I wasn’t much into watching. John, my husband, would say they’re not going to win—they just blew it, and everything else to discourage me from staying focused.
Finally, I said, “They’re going to win. For my mom, who didn’t get to watch them from her recliner.”
In amazement, we both watched as they came from behind a three-game loss to win the division!
During my last visit, sometime before the game started, my mom tried to get out of her chair. She suffered a stroke that left her helpless on the floor. I happened to come back into the house, where I found her afraid and paralyzed.
It was only a few hours earlier she was engaged in lively conversation with my sister’s boyfriend about guess what—the Dodgers. Seems he was a fan as well.
My mom never recovered from the stroke—she died the following week.
Well, I believe she is fully healed, whole, and happy where she is residing. In heaven with Jesus. And, who knows, maybe she’s cheering her beloved team on to a world series victory.
I don’t know. I only know that when the Dodgers won game #7, I would have given anything to share in the excitement with her.
By Yolanda Gray
Yolanda Gray is a faith-based coach, speaker and author for the Christian professional woman who feels trapped by an out-of-control lifestyle. She works with them to take back their lives from exhausted, overwhelmed and anxious to living in God’s purpose and power, authentically and confidently. She hosts and facilitates energizing, interactive, thought-provoking workshops and empowering restorative retreats. Yolanda earned a Bachelor's degree in Human Development, a Master’s degree in Human Relations and a certification in Professional Life Coaching through P4 Coaching Institute—an ICF accredited program. Contact her at yolandagray.com or email: [email protected]
I needed to thank you for this great read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it. Nicholle Billie Pamela
The article is really excellent. Every time I read it, I get information again.
The best article I’ve read in a long time….
Hello there! This article couldn’t be written much better!
Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this post to him.
Pretty sure he will have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!