Despite being an exceptionally technologically savvy 50-year-old, my dad refuses to get a cell phone. Therefore, it is rare that we speak on the phone without it first being via my mom. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I answered the phone the other day to 'Mom' only to hear my dad on the line.
"Jus, it's dad!" I could already hear the elation in his voice. "Hey...how about those cubs?!" He was calling to share in his joy of the incredible World Series and who better to call than his sports loving daughter.
My dad's excitement was rooted in being a Chicagoland native, but more of a casual baseball fan and an occasional Wrigley field attendee, he admitted it was the series that reeled him in. Let's be honest, wasn't that the case for most of us? I'll be the first to admit, despite being an avid sports fan, I don't follow baseball. In fact, I'm almost certain that I've never followed an entire World Series before this year, but how could you not? It was a series made for the big screen. The storylines were incredible and so was the baseball.
I think it's safe to say that we've never had a more followed World Series, nor has baseball ever attracted this many casual fans. We were all reeled in. I had friends, who I'd recently taught what free throws were, talking about baseball games. I was on the set of a movie and in between takes, folks were watching on phones, riding on every pitch. I stood in the middle of a fancy steakhouse in West Hollywood while everyone screamed and cheered as if they were in a rowdy Chicago sports bar.
It was beautiful, and to me, call it a (seventh inning) stretch, this World Series was a symbol of so much more than baseball. It was the first time in a long time that our entire nation was on the same page. Even despite different teams, we were all on common ground, finding pure joy together in none other than America's pastime.
During a tumultuous time in this country, and perhaps one of the most divisive elections ever, baseball gave us a week of reprieve from the exhausting presidential narrative. We were happy. We were sharing like interests. We were united. It was a reminder that maybe we're all a lot more alike than we tend to think.
The conversation with my dad unexpectedly, but inevitably, turned from baseball to other topics much bigger than baseball, like the state of our country and this upcoming election. Anyone who knows Steve-O, knows my dad is the truth. He is an unbelievably kind, reasonable, loving, selfless individual. We didn't necessarily discuss politics in particular, nor are we over the moon with either of the candidates. Instead we discussed how much we both HATE to see all of the hate being spewed towards one another. We talked about loving and the power that lies in taking the time to learn about and understand one another despite cultural, racial, religious or political differences.
I love my dad because he's molded so much of the way I think, but that is not to believe what he believes, like the candidates he likes, or to vote the way he votes. Rather, he has taught me to practice kindness, compassion and open mindedness when it comes to individuals, even if they are different than myself. Because like baseball taught us, at the end of the day, we all seek joy and happiness in the same ways. Deeper than that, our hearts work alike, we bleed the same blood, we mourn the pain and loss of loved ones the same way, and as it turns out, we're more alike than different.
Along with many, I will be happy to see this election over, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't unnerved thinking of what the aftermath may behold. However, I encourage all of us to take our World Series mentality into today and the days that follow and find some common ground, take some time to get to experience and understand something new, even if you think you don't "like" it and most importantly, share some happiness and love. Because despite who our future Head of State is come tonight, I bet we can become a better nation with just those few things alone.