  &emailalert=no&email=adgrant@indiana.edu&url=http://closeproximity.blogspot.com&name=Proximity&bgcolor=003399&fcolor=FFFFFF&link=FFFFCC&words=comments&title=Comments &width=350&height=350"> The Cubs might, wait...will make history tonight in Chicago by beating the Florida Marlins for the NLCS Title, and a spot in the World Series. There's one person who's witnessed the ups and mostly downs of the Cubs ballclub; that someone being my Grandpa Bob. There isn't a more loyal and devoted fan to the Cubbies than my Grandpa, and I get a little choked up at the thought of him cozied up on his couch right now with a blanket, remote control in hand, sound up FULL blast on the television, and 80+ years worth of anticipation for the big game tonight. I have fond memories as a little girl sitting in the upstairs den with Grandpa Bob after church on Sundays, watching the Cubs on WGN lose another one in Wrigley.
While Dad's side of the family routed for the White Sox, and Mom's side being die hard Cubs fans, I remained a Chicago centrist and routed for them both. I think I just loved how passionate and loyal Grandpa was to his Cubbies. I made sure I memorized the backs of my Cubs baseball cards before sitting with Grandpa, so I could impress the pants off him when I didn't have to be quiet for a second. I'd sip Root Beer and eat Matt's Chocolate Chip cookies from Grandma's famous glass cookie jar, and sing with Harry Caray during the 7th inning stretch. I'd giggle when Grandma would comment on how cute Mark Grace's blue eyes were, or how adorable Ryne Sandberg looked in his uniform.
While she was more into the aesthetics of the athletes, Grandma still knew her stuff. She'd sit with Grandpa during the games, usually curled up with a good book, but still kept close tabs on the "boys" like any mother of six and grandmother of many could. She hooted and hollered with Grandpa when the Cubs scored. Grandma still sits next to Grandpa Bob for every game with a book in hand, and a bowl full of goodies for Grandpa.
As the years passed, I wasn't able to spend as many afternoons with Grandpa watching the Cubs. From grade school to middle school, and high school to college, I still checked in with Grandpa on the status of his Cubbies, and more often than not he'd reply, "They need to get some wins, that's for sure. " Even though the Cubs were often at the bottom of the list in the league standings, his loyalty to them always remained. While I saw his loyalty to a baseball team, I realized just how much that loyalty remained in other facets of his life, with his family and friends, and how he lived his life.
Tonight he sits with his wife of 55 years, after spending probably 24,000 hours either listening or watching the Cubs, in hopes of seeing his team do the unthinkable...WIN THE BIG GAME. I hope tonight my Grandma witnesses the unthinkable, seeing my Grandpa cry tears of joy. Go Cubs! 
