I am a lucky gal

When I heard the news during tonight's game, I cried. The emotions stirred by Ryne Sandberg's death were powerful, but not all bad.

I was fortunate to see him play. He was so good, so reliable I took him for granted. MVP, 10-time All Star, Hall of Famer. 

What's more, my favorite grandmother loooved Ryne Sandberg. He was not only her favorite Cub, he was one of her favorite people on the planet. I enjoyed watching baseball with her and when she would get started on her Ryno, I'd tease her. "You like me, but you love him." OR "If Ryno and I were both drowning and you could only save one of us, I'd be dead, wouldn't I?" How she'd laugh. "Oh, Gal!" she'd say. "But that's not a denial, Grandma." She'd laugh some more.

I love this memory. I love thinking of Grandma finally getting to meet her Ryno in heaven. And yes, I am certain both my Grandma and Ryno are in heaven. I know that just like I know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

I am a Cub fan. I am a Christian. I am lucky that I have things in my life I love this much, even if they make me cry once in a while.