Sunday, September 21, 2008
What can I say about Alene, she was a lovely person whose presence could take over a room. In simple terms, she was my Aunt, that I will always love. But this relationship was not one of those traditional nephew relationships. I moved to Missouri from Connecticut as a young kid and never really got to know Alene as well as I wish I could have. I actually never got to meet her in person until 2007. But boy did I know her way before I met her. For years we sent e-mails and instant messages on the internet, back and forth about our main common interest. THE BOSTON RED SOX! It seemed like once a week for years I would get a page e-mail venting frustrations or joys about our boys. From our in-depth conversations on Big Papi to the craziness that was Manny Ramirez. Then yelling about Johnny Damon's long hair ... to being in awe about Curt Schilling's October domination on one bloddy ankle. Me trying to convince her that Pedro Martinez was worth the money, to her screaming at me, “NO HE ISN’T!” Well Alene, I guess you got that one right! There were so many memories in those little letters, I will never forget. Needless to say, I was dying to meet Alene, instead of just being pen-pals. Finally I did during the summer of 2007. To this day I am still happy I got to meet Alene and share time with her, even though it was only one day. She was such a sweet-heart and her passion for the Red Sox was stronger than mine, which is hard to top! As I sat in her apartment and talked with her I could see why everyone who met her, loved her. Alene's personality was infectious and it was a joy to be in her presence. I will never forget Alene's e-mail to me in October of 2004 when we beat the Yankees to advance to the World Series. All capital letters and tons of exclamation points. WE FINALLY DID IT, WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!! That was all I needed to here from her, I knew her life-long quest had ended. We stayed close until her death, between letters and e-mails ... from Christmas gifts to birthday cards it was awesome. To be able to become friends with someone that is over 60 years older than you and nearly 2,000 miles away from you on something as simple as baseball, is amazing. The one thing Alene sent me that I will never lose is a book. The 1967 Impossible Dream Season, I read it cover to cover when I received it. She reminded me to respect the past and never to forget it. Alene touched my life for the better and her enthusiasm will live in me for the rest of my life. Alene, when you reading this ... every single Red Sox game I will think of you. Every single win I will remember you. You were one of my favorite people to talk to, simply a joy. I will leave this letter on a light note because that is the type of person you are ... While your up there in heaven shaking hands with Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr ... have a couple balls bounce our way, will ya! You know the Red Sox will always need help. This October is for you, I pray we can give you a great showing. I will miss your post season notes, but will always remember them. Whenever the improbable happens with our Red Sox, I will know you had a hand in it and just shake my head and smile. I love you! I will always miss and remember you! Love forever, John
