October 1st, 2006

As most of you know I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2 this past June. As a result I have had to change my lifestyle a bit. I am now on medication, a diet and I exercise regularly. So far the outcome is great. I feel better, I look better and I only miss a few things like sweets and soda. (I never drank.) My doctor tells me that if I stay on course I should be able to reverse my form of diabetes.

I was invited to a Cubs game yesterday. Now, I am a die-hard White Sox fan, but I did except this particular invitation. The seats were at "Beyond The Ivy," a roof-top across from Wrigley Field and the proceeds from the cost of the tickets and raffles went to Juvenal Diabetes. (I won a raffle drawing and I choose a basket of womens skin and hair product from "Angelina's" in Barrington. I know my daughter Danielle will just love it and seeing how she turns 14 on Wednesday, it will make a great pre-birthday gift!)

I was invited to the game by Kim and Alex Renko of Barrington, Illinois. Their daughter Eden, has JD and at one point was taking nine shots of insulin per day! You would have never known that this little angel had any medical challenges. She wore the biggest smile and had the most positive attitude of anyone on the roof-top. I now know another trooper, she a beautiful little girl and great example on how to live life when you are handed a few disadvantages.

To be honest with you, I hardly watched the game, but the whole roof-top experience from the food and drinks (healthy for me of course) and the company I shared it with, is a must do, ... even for Sox fans.

The people at "Beyond The Ivy" are incredible and their staff makes you feel right at home. I would do this again, in fact I will, ... next year. If you'd like to join me, you are more than welcome. I will be sure and post an invitation next season for a spring game. That way the Cubs will still be in the pennant race!!!! (The Cubs will enter the 2007 season with a 99-year drought from the World Series,  the longest in baseball history.)

To make the day even more enjoyable I invited my friend Cubs fan buddy, Dave Wentz (Naperville Exchange Club). Dave brought 3 more of his friends, David, Jacquelyn and Nahla.

I have been accused of never having enough down time or "joe" time, but I had just a great day at the ol' ball-game yesterday. I didn't have to perform or speak, I just laughed and talked and had a great time. The Cubs were down 8 - 0 by the 4th inning, (a true Sox fan loved that part) but made a game of it and evened the score with the Rockies in the ninth, 9 - 9. Then the heavens opened up and out came the tarps.

We ran over to Murphy's during the rain delay and watched some college football. The game resumed about an hour later and in typical Cubs fashion they lost 11 - 9 in the 14th inning.

Afterward we headed over to the Cubby Bear Bar. The place was rocking and all proceeds from the nights activity at the Cubby Bear also went to Juvenal Diabetes. Cubs announcer (and former Cubs star) Ron Santo helped promote a day for Juvenal Diabetes, a disease he has had since he was a child. The whole Wrigleville neighborhood helped Ron Santo fight this disease. I know the Renko's raised over $10,000 on the roof-top alone!

At the Cubby Bear, we bumped in to about 20 FDNY firefighters and I became friends with FDNY Lt. Billy O'Mally. Billy was there on September 11th. We talked and shared our thoughts about that day. Like all FDNY heroes Billy shrugged away from the thought that he was just that, a hero. Billy told me he could not believe the hearts and kindness of the people of Chicago. He said that every single breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar tab had been picked up by people who just said "Thank You." It is great to know that Middle-America has not forgotten those firefighters who became the first soldiers in the war against terror.

To make things more incredible, Billy and his FDNY heroes at their ladder and engine company have started a foundation called "Wounded Warriors" for the soldiers who need help and who have served overseas, fighting terrorism. Heroes helping heroes, ... i just love it. I will post his website as soon as it is available.

After we talked I kissed his head and thanked him but he humbly said, "It was my job and I'd do it again." (Doesn't that sound familiar, ...I've heard that from John Olivero and every firefighter at FDNY Engine 55, Cliff Russell, and Vinny Forras)

I was feeling so "high" after talking with Billy that I started to dance with Jacquelyn and Nahla. I guess Dave and David were too "white" to dance. We were on the floor for at least 1 1/2 hours while the "Daves" watched college football. (When I was dancing with these beautiful young girls most of the guys were just staring at us, they probably thought they were my daughters.) At one point I was tapped on shoulder and asked to dance by Billy. So, we danced together for a few minutes while his FDNY buddies and my friends all laughed.

At about 11:00 PM we had enough. David and Jacquelyn headed out while Dave, Nahla and I walked over to the McDonald's parking lot across from the ball park only to find that the battery in my car was dead. (I left the lights on while I was at the game.) The security officer call for help and jump-started my car. While we were waiting for the car to charge up a bit, we ordered some burgers.

As we were about to leave, Cubs fan icon, Ronnie Woo Woo walked into McDonald's in his uniform. Everyone wanted to talk with him and hear him do his "woo woo," thing. Ronnie Woo Woo has become so popular that he is now starring in TV and radio commercials!

He came over to the table and Dave put him on the phone with a Cubs fan friend who could not make the game. Ronnie said to him, ... and this is a direct quote; "Hey woo, Dusty woo, won't be woo, back next year woo woo. His woo, coaching staff woo, is gone too woo. they can't woo fire me woo, they can't trade me woo woo!" (Damn, I'm glad I'm a Sox fan!)

As my head hit the pillow at about 1:00 AM, I was thinking about Eden Renko and her family, Dave and David, Billy and his FDNY brothers, the roof-top game, dead battery's and all the fun I had . Ohhhh yea, ... and dancing with two pretty girls, ...woo woo!

If you'd like to write to Eden Renko and encourage this beautiful child to keep fighting, send your emails to Renko@Ameritech.net