A weight off our shoulders

My man Mike and Pap celebrating good times! (Courtesy of Boston.com)

I wrote a little about the differences between 2004 and 2007.  In 2004 it was all about the past.  My mother and father (and every aunt, uncle and grandparent I had/have) breathing a sigh of relief that FINALLY they can say "See, THIS is why we’re fans!  THIS is why we stuck with this team!". 

I cried all night on October 27, 2004 – and I cried all day the day of that first "Rolling Rally".  I didn’t go to the parade because it was a very personal experience for me.  I wanted to share it with my folks and, pretty much, that was it.  Sure, a bunch of us got together to toast the team a few weeks later, but in the moment, it was all about losing the baggage of 86 years.

When Papelbon threw that last strike on Sunday night, I suddenly started crying.  I hadn’t expected it.  I wasn’t crying at all that night, prior to the end of the game.  I was pumped.  I was hyper…I wanted the game to end so I could scream and jump up and down and sing "Dirty Water".  (Which I did…after I cried!)

I don’t remember wanting to ‘party’ after 2004.  I can remember a commercial showing a guy waiting at a stoplight and then suddenly honking his horn and freaking out in his car as he randomly recalled that the Sox won the World Series.  That’s what it was like.  Being in a fog and occasionally being reminded that it wasn’t a dream.  Except, for me, usually it was me crying instead of pounding things.  This time around, I wanted to party.  I went to the parade – hell I went to game 1 of the World Series! (There is no way you could have gotten me to a World Series game in 2004 – I could barely watch them on tv!)

This weekend, I’m still partying.  Hooking up with friends to celebrate the second World Series win in our lifetime!  And the sistahs still have to plan a party – I’m hoping to Cooperstown!  So there is still much more partying to be done and I plan on doing it.  

2004 shook off the past and 2007 has ensured the team and the fans a triumphant future.  

Six days later and I’m still smiling, yet the tears have been few.  

I’m officially raising my first glass to the Sox today (it occurs to me as I type this that the two times this week I’ve had drinks with friends, we didn’t toast the team – what were we thinking?) – let the celebrating commence!