World Series Bound, Thanks to Family and Friends

When my dad talks about the three greatest moments of his life, the births of my sister and I are tied for number one. But not far behind is favorite moment number three: watching the Cardinals win the World Series at Busch Stadium in 2006. 

I still remember that night fondly, and the very emotional phone call my dad and I shared. I was 180 miles away in Kirksville, MO, being a dedicated college student and "studying" for a test I had the next day. What's even worse is I was supposed to be at the game, but a combination of the rain-out and a do-or-die test kept me away from my standing room only ticket that my dad ending up having to hawk on the streets.

Depressing I know, but this year, that is not the case.

Once I knew the Cards were going to the World Series last Sunday night, I knew I wasn't going to miss another chance to go to at least one game with my dad. But money was an issue. I wasn't willing to paid hundreds of dollars for a standing room only ticket, and I knew we would need special accommodations for a wheelchair to get him there. And who knew how much that was going to cost.

But then my dad's good friend from high school sent out a call to our closest friends and family:

As all of you I'm sure know, Bob has had a hell of a year to say the least. And so have the Cardinals so far, the fun ride continues! As some of you may also know, Bob Taylor went to every home game of the 2006 World Series. Do I have to remind you what happened then and the incredible good luck Bob had brought to the Cardinals that year? He and the Cardinals brought home our 10th World Championship! So, I am not attempting to bring any more attention to what Bob has been going through, he would not want that. But what I would like to do is start a movement, a campaign, to send Bob Taylor to every home game of this World Series. Let's all band together to help Bob and the St. Louis Cardinals bring home our 11th World Championship. I hope you can all share in my sentiment. I got the first $100 towards 'The Cause' to send Bob Taylor to every home game of the 2011 World Series.

Just to refresh your memory in case you're not familiar, when he said "one hell of a year," he's referring to my dad's battle with brain cancer for the past 14 months. I won't lie, the last few months have been rough going for him and our family, but thanks to our strong support system we've managed to stay positive through it all, and the Cards' making it to the World Series has certainly helped keep our spirits high.

That email was sent out just before midnight on Sunday night. By 3 p.m. Tuesday, I received an email that we had four tickets to all four World Series games in St. Louis for my dad!

Monday was a frantic day of phone calls and emails back and forth, but my good friend at SCC and her husband came through for us, and they were able to get us four seats to each game in a wheelchair row, which was essential to my dad being able to go.

The tickets were expensive, but not as expensive as I thought, and within hours of me sending out the good news about the tickets, we had raised enough money to cover the cost of my dad's tickets and then some. Thanks to our family and friends, my sister and I were able to go to game 2, our first World Series game ever, and even more importantly, we got to go with our dad.

Even though it was a loss, it was a great experience neither of us will ever forget. And although I'm not happy that the Cards are down 3-2 right now, I am glad that we have a chance to clinch the series at home, and that my dad will be there for it no matter what, just like he was in 2006. Perhaps this will make it in the top four of his greatest moments ever.