Mood:
energeticTopic: "Wait 'Til Next Year"(2)A
SPECIAL NOTE: Several days ago Frodo lost an article to the ether. In the attempt to retrace his steps and to rescue this significant literary artifact, he retained the article from the ATLANTA JOURNAL & CONSTITUTION which was the impetus for the original document. Hereafter follows a synopsis of what Frodo originally wrote, perhaps better, perhaps not.
For the first time in fifteen seasons, the gallant Atlanta Braves will not be participating in the play-off preliminaries to the World Series. Not by choice adds Frodo, and the resultant application of the loser's lament to followers of the gallant Braves is, by way of the words that follow, not actually so offensive after all. "Wait 'til next year," has taken on a whole new meaning for the Hobbit.
Bobby Dews has been the Braves Bullpen Coach for the past several seasons. Not too long ago, Bobby was jogging in the neighborhood around Turner Field, and happened by an unfamiliar building with a courtyard out front. Curious, he stopped and asked a few questions. This is how the Atlanta Braves discovered "Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home," which had been established in 1939 by the Hawthorne Dominicans, an order of nuns devoted to caring for patients with terminal cancer. "We're a free home," said Sister Miriam, one of eight nuns in residence who care for an average number of 25 patients. No more chemotherapy, no more radiation, just palliative care to lessen the pain for the patients whose time is necessarily short.
Because of their proximity to the ballpark, the patients can watch the fireworks display when the gallant Braves hit a home run or win a ballgame. In this holy place the games are a reason to live another day, and to look forward to the challenge of another sunrise. In addition to occasional trips to a game, the patients have been treated to the creation of a souvenir shrine in the lobby of the hospice. Amid all the autographed pictures and bobble-head dolls there is the glove worn by the late Sister Aquinas. She always carried it to the ballpark, just in case a foul ball should come her way. One more thing, Frodo supposes, that baseball gives to those who look forward to opportunity.
Losing did not sit well with many of the fans of the gallant Braves, and Mr. German Mabry spoke for all of them, both in-and-outside the gates at "Our Lady." "The doctor said I had stomach cancer but I can't tell it, I don't believe it. I feel fine. Now, we're gonna get that Braves thing right next Spring. I'm going to a ball game."
Frodo doesn't really want to write anymore tonight dear reader, but now you understand why he felt that re-creating this post was worth the time. Amen, Mr. Mabry. We'll root them home next Spring, and the one after that.
Frodo has a lot to think about, with far too few days to go until Spring comes again.
Posted by loveysdaddyga
at 8:47 PM EDT
