Every few years I like to write about this subject to kind of renew my allegiance to a simple little cookout that serves as a tribute to my mom, Mary Kwit, each fall for the last 11 years. It happens again Sunday.
I use this line all the time so please indulge me once again.
It is said that italian sons all consider their mothers to be saints. I'm no different but in this case I'm not so sure my mother was not. My mom was the "go to" for everyone with a problem, a crisis or intention for which they wanted her to pray. She would happily add them to her list as she said her novena and as many as 12 rosaries per day! She was as devoted to God and the Virgin Mary as anyone I have ever known and when someone for whom she prayed received what they requested, they would let her know and usually submit other requests.
Mom had 3 sisters, all of them short, rather loud and very italian.And two of her sisters were married to a set of brothers. My mom opted for a tough looking polish guy. His proposal supposedly went like this:
Mom: KWIT. That's a cute name.
Dad: Would you like to have it?
Wish I had inherited my dad's smooth talk!
Most of my childhood memories revolve around the italian side of the family and my mom's folks- Carlo and Amagilda Banducci both of whom lived long lives thanks in part to my mom caring for them in their twilight years. She didn't like sports (save for a Cub named Lon Warneke) and didn't like music (except for a few special songs.) When my dad was stationed in Texas, they had a ritual where at an appointed time, they would both look at the moon as the same time. I think they got the idea from a Billie Holiday song called "I'll Be Seeing You" which chills me even when I hear it today. In fact, I'll play it at the cookout Sunday.
My mom was selfless ,charitable and kind. We didn't have much but she made due and rarely complained. She and I were traveling companions in her later years as I drove her to meetings and medical procedures and Mather Cafe. For years after she passed, I had a hard time with the emptiness in the car's passenger seat. Just as I regretted the many times she asked me to sit with her on the deck but I wanted to do other things.
I decided the year she passed to gather friends in her memory and keep that memory alive. Each fall we gather in her yard near her rosebushes which are still yielding flowers, and launch balloons that each have a card attached to them mentioning her, asking for a prayer and a request that the balloon finder report to us. It's only happened once. A balloon was found on the north shore and I spoke to the lady who found it.
My mom loved to socialize and loved getting together. I inherited that trait as I inherited and learned so much from her. And so on Sunday we will eat, drink and remember Mary...for the 11th time.
In her tribute, and to illustrate the devotion she had to her rosary, here is a poem she wrote long ago that I feel is good enough to be included in any prayer book anywhere on earth.
MY ROSARY MY FRIEND by Mary Kwit
You're always there within my sight when I feel bad or feel all right
I count each bead one by one within my hand till all are done
You're with me in good times and bad when I am happy or I am sad
You help me when I need a friend, someone on whom I can depend
It's night,I'm tired but still can't sleep
So I travel the road that felt His feet
Each mystery I walk with you
From the time of His birth till His life was through
I'm with Him on that joyous morn
When angels announced a King was born
I kneel with the kings who came so far
Following the beam of a radiant star
I kneel with shepherds before His crib
With all the love our hearts can give
How I really wish I had been there
As within my heart I say a prayer
I'm with Him at the foot of the cross
Crying with Mary over her loss
As she cradles Him within her arms
She knows that now He's free from harm
I'm with him when He arose that day
When they discovered the stone had been rolled away
I remembered all the things they said
"On the third day he shall rise from the dead"
And when I have time during the day
Again together we walk His way
To pray for good health and peace for everyone
And that His holy will be done
My prayers are over I have things to do
I know you'll be there if I ever need you
Because it's only on you I can depend
You're my rosary- my best friend.
Friday, October 7, 2016
CUBS POST SEASON PRIMER
HERE we are, breathing the rarified air (the RARE rarified air) of the post season. October baseball is not something this city has been familiar with over the years. By now we are usually prepping for hockey and the Hawks, our only real shot at post season glory. But this year the boys of summer play on into the fall and it might be a good time to go over some procedural rules for the fans so that going forward, (and there are many post season years ahead for the Cubs), we will not act like Toronto Blue Jay fans.
1. Let's update our wardrobes! Let's wear jerseys with the names of current players, if we must wear a jersey with a name on it at all. I mean, come on, Fukudome
1
????????? Can't we confine ourselves to the many star players currently toiling to bring the north side its first title in 108 years? And that means no SOSA as well.
2. Be humble. The fact is, the Cubs are a very good team that has won nothing yet. Trash talking at this stage is unbecoming and boorish.
3. If you're at a playoff game and a ball comes your way, run as fast as you can in the other direction. This can't be emphasized enough.
4. Do not take a picture with Ronnie Woo Woo. He is not a Cub, he is not on the Cub payroll- he is as much a member of the team as you are. Don't encourage him.
5. Avoid Jim Belushi. It's time for celebrities to trek to Wrigley Field to attach themselves to the glory that is the Cubs post season run. When the Hawks won the Cup, Belushi actually lifted it up on the ice , calling attention to himself as if he had scored one of the goals. John Lackey isn't here to get a haircut but he is also not here to share the Cubs accomplishment with a glory hog either.
6. Don't talk Curse.
There is not a curse,there never was a curse...don't look silly. Don't buy goat related merchandise. (My grandmother gave me that advice when I was 2 years old but it had nothing to do with the Cubs)
7. Celebrate Responsibly. When the Cubs win the world series it is likely to be a celebration like this town has never seen,affecting everyone in the area in one way or another. It will be a story worldwide because of their record of futility. The world will be watching and while there will be parades, tears, thousands of videos, people in the streets, Cub decorations in cemeteries and flowing champagne, there is also the potential for wanton destruction.
We've seen it in other cities and none of the teams in those cities had the history and the heartache the Cubs have had over the last 108 years.
Be respectful at the parade, be judicious and sane the night Aroldis Chapman throws up his arms on the mound and is mobbed by the 2016 champions. You've seen something so many never had the opportunity to witness.
7.Take a loss without whining.
Winning the World Series is not easy and the Cubs just might fall short this year after a spectacular season. The playoffs are a different breed , not formulated to necessarily crown the best team but the one that played the best over 11 games. But the Cubs are built for sustained success. They won 103 games with Schwarber who is likely to be in the lineup and pop 30 plus homers next season. Remember the fun we had singing "Go Cubs Go" and watching those talented young athletes perform to a very high level all summer? That is going to happen again and then it's going to happen again. And one of these years, if not this one, the Cubs are going to be World Champs because it isn't a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when."
1. Let's update our wardrobes! Let's wear jerseys with the names of current players, if we must wear a jersey with a name on it at all. I mean, come on, Fukudome
1
????????? Can't we confine ourselves to the many star players currently toiling to bring the north side its first title in 108 years? And that means no SOSA as well.
2. Be humble. The fact is, the Cubs are a very good team that has won nothing yet. Trash talking at this stage is unbecoming and boorish.
3. If you're at a playoff game and a ball comes your way, run as fast as you can in the other direction. This can't be emphasized enough.
4. Do not take a picture with Ronnie Woo Woo. He is not a Cub, he is not on the Cub payroll- he is as much a member of the team as you are. Don't encourage him.
5. Avoid Jim Belushi. It's time for celebrities to trek to Wrigley Field to attach themselves to the glory that is the Cubs post season run. When the Hawks won the Cup, Belushi actually lifted it up on the ice , calling attention to himself as if he had scored one of the goals. John Lackey isn't here to get a haircut but he is also not here to share the Cubs accomplishment with a glory hog either.
6. Don't talk Curse.
There is not a curse,there never was a curse...don't look silly. Don't buy goat related merchandise. (My grandmother gave me that advice when I was 2 years old but it had nothing to do with the Cubs)
7. Celebrate Responsibly. When the Cubs win the world series it is likely to be a celebration like this town has never seen,affecting everyone in the area in one way or another. It will be a story worldwide because of their record of futility. The world will be watching and while there will be parades, tears, thousands of videos, people in the streets, Cub decorations in cemeteries and flowing champagne, there is also the potential for wanton destruction.
Be respectful at the parade, be judicious and sane the night Aroldis Chapman throws up his arms on the mound and is mobbed by the 2016 champions. You've seen something so many never had the opportunity to witness.
7.Take a loss without whining.
Winning the World Series is not easy and the Cubs just might fall short this year after a spectacular season. The playoffs are a different breed , not formulated to necessarily crown the best team but the one that played the best over 11 games. But the Cubs are built for sustained success. They won 103 games with Schwarber who is likely to be in the lineup and pop 30 plus homers next season. Remember the fun we had singing "Go Cubs Go" and watching those talented young athletes perform to a very high level all summer? That is going to happen again and then it's going to happen again. And one of these years, if not this one, the Cubs are going to be World Champs because it isn't a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)