Thank you Dallas Braden (a year late)

Let us celebrate today's special anniversary with Midori1967's tale of an especially perfect Mother's Day, one year later.        -EN

Let me explain . . . . .

On October 24, 2009, my Mom lost her battle with ALS.  My brother in-law, wrote her obituary, posting her "career stats" ~ 53 years of marriage, 7 children, 12 grandchildren, over 2,500 student taught, and about 40 teams coached.  I am the youngest of the 7 children, and had one or both of my parents as my softball coach for most of my life.  It took me until junior college to have a non-familial coach..  My first memories of A's games are with the entire FGSA (Fremont Girls Softball Association), sitting in the 3rd deck, getting sunburned and eating way too much junk food.  Mom was a huge advocate of sportsmanship.  Many of her championship teams also won sportsmanship awards, which were voted on by the very players they had beaten on the diamond.

An Oakland A's partial season ticket plan  was purchased by my sister and Dad back in 1987.  After several season of "moving up" they EARNED their current seats in Section 105, Row 1.  Although many fans would not choose to sit next to the visitors bullpen, my Mom enjoyed the interactions with the various teams.  And on a smaller scale, I think the players enjoyed Mom.  One evening game against the Mariners, Mom sneezed, very loudly, several times in a row.  Slowly a player rose from the dugout, turned around, and with a smile asked Mom if she was OK . . . that player was Arthur Rhodes.  Before a game against the Kansas City Royals, pitcher Jeff Montgomery, approached my parents, shook their hands and told them it has always been a pleasure coming to play in Oakland.  He wanted them to know that he had planned on retiring at the end of the year.  

As our family grew with spouses, significant others and grandchildren, Mom and Dad started buying the entire family bleacher tickets to a fireworks game.  The trek down to the field was always a challenge to make sure that we didn't lose anyone!  I believe that those games were the games Mom loved the most . . . surrounded by her large, loud and crazy family!  She wouldn't have had it any other way.

As the disease progressed, it became harder for Mom to attend games, but that didn't stop her.  It may have taken longer to get to her front row seats, she used the hand rail along section 105, but she did get there.

Her A's "family" grew as she took in ushers and security guards alike.  She brought cookies for all the regulars (Patty, Mark & Mark, Anthony & Anthony)  Some of them even took to calling her Mom!

Not in her usual seats, Mom attended her last game on September 20th, 2009.  From an outfield skybox she watched her A's beat up on the Indians 11-4.  Dana Eveland won his 2nd game of the year, and Adam Kennedy hit his 11th homerun.  During the game, she was visited by several her favorite ushers and security guards from section 105. 

May 9, 2010 - my first Mother's Day without my Mom.  I don't have children of my own (unless you count dogs and cats).  This day had always been about Mom.  The whole family would be gathering at Dad's for a BBQ, but I was in no hurry to get over there.  Feeling lost, I sat down at the computer and looked through pictures.  The A's game was on in the living room.  Somewhere between the tears and the Kleenex, I heard the announcers talking about "something special".  I pulled myself away from the pictures on the computer and went into the living room. 

I watched the game while pacing the living room floor.  I couldn't sit still.  Of all the pitchers on the A's staff. Dallas Braden was throwing a perfect game!  And when that last ball was hit and Penny threw a perfect strike to Barton, I cried.  This time the tears were joyful!  I had seen a lot of magical moments as an A's fan, but this one was so unlikely and so beautiful for a young man who had lost his Mom too soon!  I was so lucky to have 42 years with my Mom.

I hurried up and went over to Dad's house.  As soon as it was available "on demand", we watched the game again!  The rest of the day was spent talking about Dallas Braden and his perfect game.

So, on this day, a year later . . . . I would like to thank Dallas Braden for turning one of the most painful days in my life, into a day of celebration and happiness.  Mother's Day will never be the same for me, but I will always look back and smile when thinking about 2010. 

In honor of my Mom, Sue Galloway, I have changed my profile picture to her.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM !