We learned acceptance...and love.

Really, I think the baseball gods are doing me a favor. Giving me a gentle reminder and a refresher course in acceptance. I'm supposed to have already learned to accept the downsides of life. I have no problem embracing the upsides. Such as, when the Cubs win. But I have a hard time accepting Cubs losses. Life consists of ups and downs. And if I don't learn to deal with the big picture -- well, that's gonna make me unhappy. The baseball gods are saying, "Jim, learn to deal with it all. Especially when something relatively trivial happens. Like the outcome of a baseball game. After all, it's not a life and death matter." I suppose that's good advice. I'm learning to accept twists and turns and even life and death. For instance, my Jeanne had Alzheimer's. And for 13 years, we battled the disease. Together. And rather despairingly at first. But eventually, we learned to cope. By practicing the art of acceptance. Making the best of the situation. The inevitability of death. The price one pays for the gift of life. One also pays a steep price for deep love. The hurt and sadness that comes with a loss. But we learned ultimately to truly savor the time we had left. Making the most of each day. Rather than lamenting what we wouldn't have tomorrow. --Jim Broede