Thank you GA

by Howie the Halo on Aug 23, 2007 3:31 PM PDT Comment 14 comments

When I graduated from college I moved back home with my dad and grandpa. While I was away at school my dad had moved in with my grandfather to help take care of him. My grandfather was never a big baseball fan, but once I moved in he began watching Angel games with me and my dad. It became our time to bond and he became a huge Darin Erstad and John Lackey fan. Every night he would ask, "So what time is the ballgame on tonight?"

On Monday, he was sent home and put on hospice. The doctors gave him two months to live because of renal failure. On Tuesday night, we sat down to watch yet another Angel game, which none of us knew would be his last. As the game progressed, our excitement grew as we were watching GA do something very remarkable. When GA hit the grand slam to pass Vlad for the Halo RBI record, my grandfather gave us both a high five even in his weakend state. All three of us were truly happy during and after the game.

My grandfather passed away early the following morning with me and my dad by his side. I'd like to thank GA for making my grandpa's final Angel game such a memorable one. It's truly remarkable how a sport like baseball can bring families together in even the toughest times.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Well, damn.

I can't think of anything snarky or purposefully caustic to say.

We all grieve for your loss; and thanks to the baseball redemption you gave him prior to passing, he's now an Angel in the sky, watching our boys on that big screen in heaven

Let's win one for your gramps.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Aug 23, 2007 3:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chills

Damn.

Stay strong in this difficult time. Best wishes.

We'll be fine.

by ReggieBullits on Aug 23, 2007 3:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I experienced a similar

emotion watching my grandmother's last live game with her - Angels vs. Dodgers in Anaheim. The only "problem" was that she had been a Dodger since the day they came to LA. It was the one time the Angels lost that I don't feel bad for admitting that it was ok with me. She had been battling cancer for 2 years and we knew this would be her last game. She rubbed it in my face and said "Those are my boys in blue!" She passed away a few months later.

I wish you the best HTH in this challenging time.

Go Angels!

by agermer on Aug 23, 2007 3:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Aww

What a great story. I'm glad you were able to share that special game with him.

With win-win-win, we all win!

by lightupthehalo on Aug 23, 2007 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Damn Man

You need to warn a person before posting a tear jerker. I can't be welling up at work.

I never thought I'd say this but I second everything that shiftyeyedgoat said.

by Seik1177 on Aug 23, 2007 4:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm jealous...

my gram and gramps never got to 2002. They went to nearly every game from 78 to the late 80s before they couldn't make the drive any longer. Thank you for sharing your story and God Bless you and your family.

Quit yer whinin' and START CHEERING!

by Downing Rules on Aug 23, 2007 4:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Howie

Thanks for sharing your heart felt story with us. My condolences to your family.

I went through the hospice thing with my dad and it is a very sad time for any family to endure.

by 44FAN on Aug 23, 2007 4:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that made me cry

something abut this game binds us all closer and closer to what it means being human.

by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2007 5:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

by cupie on Aug 23, 2007 5:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Howie

It doesn't compare, but I experienced Game 6 at my grandpa's wake up in Oregon. The funny part was how me & my siblings were all really really trying not to turn on the television, and tell people that maybe we need to make sure about the World Series game (my Oregon relatives are mostly Mariners fans, probably). Plus it was a somber occasion, etc.

Well, it was a bit too somber, so someone fired up the teevee. After a while, you could hear some female whoops in the next room -- my sister, various aunts, people instinctively rooting for the southern wing of the family's team. By the 7th inning or so the house was transformed, my crazy brother was I think hiding on the stairway and talking in sign language (something about a "jinx," I think), and it was a real neat way to enjoy the finest Angel moment.

by mattwelch on Aug 23, 2007 5:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice Story

Saw the majority of 2002 play offs at Loma Linda University hospital. My Grandma fighting for life. But something about watching the games in the waiting room uplifted us.us too were reluctant to fire up the tube. but grandma always said never miss an angels game..... By the way she passed two days after the world series.. kinda fitting.

Do you know how to grow dreads like Vlad?

by Kokey8 on Aug 23, 2007 6:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs