A Lot Can Happen in a Year

It’s been a year since:

• I promised to take my dad to the World Series if the St. Louis Cardinals made it.
• I saw a championship ring ceremony at AT&T Park and thought, “I want to see that at Busch Stadium.”
• My baseball team started one memorable season.

 A lot has happened in a year. My father is no longer dealing with heart disease. Colon cancer has taken its place. He begins five weeks of chemotherapy and radiation next week. We are hopeful that one series of treatment will be enough to beat this disease.

I’ve made another promise. In some ways it’s simpler than last year’s World Series promise. In other ways, it’s more complex.

I want to take my dad to a baseball game this season. That’s it. I don’t care if the sun is shining or if it pours rain. I don’t care if it’s hotter than hell or if we have to dress in layers to keep from freezing. It doesn’t matter if they win or lose.

I just want to walk into the stadium with him one more time. I want to see him look out on the field and smile like a little boy. I want him to remind me of the promise I made to him when I was a little girl (I would have a good job so he could have good seats at the ballpark) and for him to remind me that I’ve kept that promise “many times.” I want him to order nachos and cheese and say, “Don’t tell your mom” while he gets the evidence on his shirt.

I just want one more. That’s all. One more.