Happy Birthday

February 10, 1939, my aunt Liz was born the middle child of 5. Things weren't always easy for them, and I can't even imagine how different things were from today. Life without cell phones, computers, and tv's are unfathomable and I don't know if I could have survived, as pathetic as that sounds. I think Liz is the one to blame for my slight obsession and where my love for the Reds all began. Far before I was born, Liz was devoted to the Redlegs. She was played an active role in Rosie Reds and was a season ticket holder for decades. We spent countless nights at Riverfront together and I will never forget the man who sat next in the seats next to her with his 90s earphones and nightly scorecard. If we weren't at the game, we were listening to Marty and Joe or watching it on tv. Liz taught me so much more than just about the Reds, but overcoming obstacles and defeating the impossible. She stuck with something no matter how hard the times were- after the death of her mom, being diagnosed with diabetes, or taking care of my grandpa when he needed her most. After suffering a severe diagnosis of dimentia and later Alzheimer's, she did her best in living the life she had known, and stuck around much longer than anyone thought she would. Last July, she lost this battle but not the game. She is no longer with us, but her view of the ballpark will just be a little higher up in the stands from now on.