Just A Gal From Glidden: The biggest wins aren't always on the scoreboard
By Kate Winquist
I've always loved a good underdog story. You know, the kind where everyone has pretty much written someone off, only to have them come roaring back and prove everybody wrong.
This past week, the sporting world served up a couple of beauties.
First off, congratulations to the Milwaukee Brewers, who swept the highly overpaid Los Angeles Dodgers to earn themselves a trip to the World Series!
As a Toronto Blue Jays fan, I must admit there was a certain satisfaction in watching the Dodgers get their butts handed to them. After last year's World Series heartbreak, it felt like a little vindication. Just a little.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy summed it up beautifully when comparing his team to the star-studded Dodgers: "They have a bunch of Hall of Famers, we have a bunch of gamers."
I guess that's why they play the game.
Then there were the Ottawa Redblacks, who finally managed to put one in the win column after 22 consecutive losses, stretching back to last season.
With the Toronto Argonauts coring a late touchdown to take the lead, it looked like Ottawa was headed for yet another defeat. But quarterback Bryson Barnes, making his first CFL start, marched his team down the field and connected for a touchdown with just six seconds remaining. The successful convert sealed a thrilling 40-39 victory.
Their record now stands at 1-16. Hey, you've got to start somewhere!
Naturally, I had to share this exciting news with my co-worker and friend, Patti Moran, who hails from Ottawa.
Now, Patti is not exactly a sports enthusiast. In fact, I suspect she sometimes wishes I'd find something else to talk about besides MY Saskatchewan Roughriders.
When I announced that her hometown Redblacks had finally won, she replied, "Good grief. How embarrassing."
However, our conversation brought back a lovely childhood memory.
"Mum was a big fan of the Ottawa RRs. She would sit and watch their games on Sunday afternoons and I would put my head on her lap and doze with the game playing as my soundtrack. It was peaceful."
Awwww. What a beautiful memory.
And just as I was having this warm, fuzzy moment, Patti added another recollection.
"I did see a live game here in Ottawa once too. My most vivid memory is thinking what a fine ass Russ Jackson had."
PARDON ME?!
Well, I certainly wasn't expecting THAT!
For those unfamiliar with Canadian football history, Russ Jackson was a legendary Ottawa Rough Riders quarterback who retired in 1969, coincidentally the year I was born. He's now 90 years old.
Patti! Patti! Patti!
Just when I think I know this woman, she comes out with something that leaves me howling.
Patti's birthday was last week. Unfortunately, yours truly completely forgot. But she assured me it was no big deal. She doesn't really celebrate birthdays anymore.
You see, October 15 was a special day for both Patti and her mum. It was the day Patti was born, but it was also the day her mum became a mother for the very first time. They always had that special connection to the date, and since her mum passed away, birthdays just haven't felt quite the same.
I can understand that. Some dates on the calendar hold a lot more than just another passing year.
October also happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And this year, that awareness has become very personal.
Earlier this year, Patti was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer known as pleomorphic lobular carcinoma.
It began in April when she discovered a lump. After months of mammograms, imaging, biopsies and consultations, she underwent a lumpectomy in late August and now she's undergoing chemotherapy, with her second treatment scheduled for Oct. 19. Radiation and several years of hormone therapy are also part of her treatment plan.
The encouraging news is that her doctor has given her a good prognosis.
Through it all, Patti has continued helping put our newspapers together each week. We're moving a little slower than usual these days, and that's perfectly okay. She takes breaks when she needs them, and I'm always here for backup.
The newspapers will get done. They always do.
But the newspapers aren't the most important thing here.
Patti is.
What amazes me is that through the appointments, surgery, treatments and uncertainty, she hasn't lost that wonderful sense of humour.
She recently informed me that she's now sporting what she affectionately calls her "googly boobs."
Apparently, the left one looks much like it did when she was 20, minus the healing scars. As for the right one?
Well, in Patti's own words, "I'm old, so you figure it out."
Good Lord, woman!
I don't know whether to laugh, cry or suggest she take that comedy routine on the road.
Probably all three.
Cancer is serious business, and I know there will be difficult days ahead. There will undoubtedly be times when Patti doesn't feel particularly brave, cheerful or funny. And that's okay, too. Nobody should have to be strong every minute of every day.
But I think there's something remarkable about a person who can face something so frightening and still find reasons to laugh.
Which brings me back to those sporting victories.
The Brewers proved that being the biggest or richest doesn't necessarily make you the winner. The Redblacks proved that even after 22 straight losses, there's always a reason to keep playing.
And Patti?
She's reminding me that sometimes the greatest victories have absolutely nothing to do with a scoreboard.
Sometimes winning means getting through another treatment, making it into work or simply finding something to laugh about when life throws you a curveball.
I don't know what the coming months will bring for Patti, but I do know she's got a pretty good team cheering her on.
And unlike those poor Ottawa Redblacks, we're not keeping track of the losses.
We're celebrating every single win.
Here's to Patti, my friend, and all the others facing battles we can't always see.
Keep showing up. Keep laughing when you can. And know that we're cheering for you all the way.
Kate Winquist, the Gal from Glidden