How far have we really come as a society

My Dad was in the National Guard in the the late 50's and 60's.  In 1959 my father was sent to Tennessee for the Guard. Two of the young men in my Dad's company were black. As they all arrived a day early, they went to a local hotel to stay for the night before reporting in the morning. The hotel manager told the group "You white guys can stay, but you ni*****s  can't, this is a whites only hotel" My father was shocked and disgusted. He told the young men, while glaring at the hotel manager, "We'll go somewhere else". The young African-American men where appreciative he wanted to stand up for them but told my Dad there was no point, this was the south and it would be the same everywhere they went. The two left and found a place to stay, where my Dad never knew.  They never discussed it after that night.  Growing up his entire life in New Jersey and never having been anywhere else until this point, it was behavior that my father had not experienced before and was appalled by. Over 50 years later, when my Dad tells that story, it is with anger, never understanding how this country could treat it's own people with such hate. Even in 2014,  I have asked myself that same question.

All these years later, we no longer have "Whites Only" establishments. Our current president is of mixed race. There are extreamly successful people of all minorities in almost every sector of business.  Yes, we have progressed. But then you have Michael Brown and Eric Garner and the thousands like them. What happened in Ferguson and Staten Island are not isolated incidents in this country. And although they were both complex and different legal issues, they both involved a white police officer and an African-American citizen, the key words being American citizen. It brought to our attention that dispite our society having progressed, at times we are still a racist country (even if you only base this on ugly things written on Twitter by bigoted assholes). No matter what you think of Treyvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, etc  they were someone's child, brother and husband. My heart breaks for their families and for any family who has lost a loved one to senseless violence, regardless of their race. 

Sadly, we are never going to stop prejudice and racism entirely .  Maybe if we continue to be disgusted by people's behavior we will change how society acts towards each other. If we continue to protest peacefully that as citizens of this country, we will not tolerate racism of any kind. Legally, I don't know if what the grand jury in the Brown and Garner cases and the actual jury in the case of Treyvon Martin decided were the right decisions. Morally, I know all three of those men did nothing that should have resulted in their deaths and people should have been held accountable. We have come only so far as a society - but we can do so much better. I will never give up hope that can happen.

  

My grandmother, Johnny Carson and Me

On October 23, 1919 Mary Turek was born in Czechoslovakia. She emigrated to America with her parents when she was two on a trip on a steamship that lasted 2 weeks in steerage. 

She grew up in Hopelawn NJ, married when she was 18, had two children and eventullly bought a home in Metuchen with her husband, William. 

Her husband had a heart condition, which meant he couldn't always work. As William had a series of various jobs, including baker, Mary took a job in a factory to help make ends meat. She went to church, made pies for thanksgiving and cookies for Christmas. When she was only 52 years old, she lost her husband. Her children grew up and married. Fifty years to the day Mary was born, on October 23, 1969, her first grandchild, a girl, was born. In case you haven't guessed, that granddaughter was me. 

I was only two when my grandfather died and from then on I slept at Grammie's every Friday night. We had a our routine. In the summer we would walk to the local park. She would push me on the swings or we would sit and watch the local little league games. We played cards or boardgames when the weather got colder. I would dance with her by standing on her feet, looked through old photo albums with her, played catch or went exploring in her attic or basement with her. As it got later on those Friday nignts we would climb into bed, she would put Johnny Carson on and stroke my hair until I fell asleep. Grammie loved watching Johnny. I remember her joy when she found out he too was born on October 23rd. "Me, you and Johnny Carson all born on the same day". Saturday mornings were french toast and orange juice. To this day, the taste of maple syrup and orange juice takes me right back to those Saturday mornings. 

I loved sharing my birthday with her. I have great memories of all the birthday cakes with buttercream icing which read "Happy Birthday Jennifer and Grammie". Those Friday night were some of the best the times of my youth. Grammie never talked down to me. We had long talks during those card and boardgames. We had a closeness that I think even my mom (her daughter) never really understood. I always wondered if it was the Friday nights we spent together or the fact we were bound by a shared birthday. Maybe both. She taught me "The Lords Prayer", how to bake cookies and the importance of taking a stand (my soapbox was another gift she gave me). Grammie was not only my grandmother, she was my friend. 

I lost Grammie 6 months after my 16th birthday. To be honest, my birthday was never quite the same after that. I remember the cake looking empty for my 17th birthday, as it read "Happy Birthday Jenn".  It's been almost 30 years and it still feels like someone is missing on the 23rd, regardless of where or with whom I celebrate. When Johnny Carson died a few years ago, I realized I was the last of the three of us left. My hope is she finally got to meet him and tell him about our special day we all shared. What I am so grateful for are those 16 1/2 years I had with her. "Twenty minutes of something wonderful versus a lifetime of nothing special" (Steel Magnolias). 

In the years since she passed away, I have always felt her with me. She is my guardian angel. On more than one occassion, something has saved me or popped in my head and I knew it was Grammie. What she couldn't do on Earth, she did in Heaven..be there for me. Even in death, our bond was never broken. 

So today, what would have been Mary Turek Pyonteck's 95th birthday, I wish her a Happy Birthday in Heaven and thank her for always being there for me. She was a special lady who I was lucky enough to call Grammie. I love you. ❤️

An open letter to my nephews - part 2

Dear Sam and George,

Happy 3rd Birthday!! 

How has three years gone by already? It was just yesterday you were these tiny little cuties I saw for the first time at your Nana and Pop-Pop's house when you were all of two months old. Since then not have you only grown taller, your personalities have developed. 

George, you my sweet are the thinker, the planner, the "idea man". You see a task and inevitably will get someone (right now your brother) to carry it out, if not do it yourself. You will no doubt be the go-to guy in years to come. You will study a situation and figure out a way to get it done. 

Sam, you my cutie are the muscle of this operation, with little fear.  You also study people. You watch what others do or how they interact with those around them and store that for another time with a look like you know something no one else knows.  You will be the one who can answer the question: "What were they thinking?"

Both of you share some wonderful qualities. Both of you have your daddy's love of music and your mommy's wonderful sense of humor.  You two are little flirts (know a pretty girl when you see one) and have smiles that light up the darkest room. You are smart and constantly show those around you why you will have much success as adults.

As I told you almost three years ago, in my first open letter to you, I have little doubt you will be bright stars in the world as you continue to grow. You have amazing parents who will guide you through the ups and downs in life, while still loving you as much as the world is big.  You have a great-grandmother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and  extended family and friends who will be there at every milestone cheering you on.  You, my beautiful boys, are loved. 

So, continue to be the funny, sweet, loving, kind, precious little boys you are today. Your future is bright and may your today be filled with the joy and laughter you bring each day, just by being here. 

Love Always,

Aunt Jenn

Thank you Derek Jeter

As spring training begins and this becomes Derek Jeter's final season; I wanted to take a moment to say "thank you" to #2.

Thank you Derek...

- For playing every game with the enthusiasm as if it were your first and the determination as though it were your last.

- For 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009

- For flip throws to home, dives into the stands and for making plays that made us go "Wow!"

- For always treating the game of baseball with respect.

- For loving the city of New York as much as the fans do

- And most of all, Derek Jeter, thank you for being a Yankee. 

We all knew this time would come eventually and as much as I will miss seeing you in pinstripes, I am celebrating the chance I had to see you play over all these years. I know this season will be like all those you played previously..with heart and for the love of the game. 

As usual, Go Yankees!! 

DAVE - FATHER, FRIEND AND METS FAN

My friend, Dave Brown, passed away today.  He was a father, friend and a Mets fan.  As a Yankee fan, we would give each other grief but we also respected each other's team.  That's because Dave was a good man.

Last season when I was writting my Yankee blog, he reposted it every time on Facebook.  Always telling me how good of a writer I was, how entertaining my blog was, encouraging others to read what I wrote.  He was one of my biggest fans, thakfully I told him that.  When Johan Santana got his no hitter - he was the first person I contacted. 

He was a very proud father.  He was alway telling people how his daughters made his so proud.  Every chance he had to spend with them he took full advantage.  His love for them will live in their hearts forever.  

He was a friend. Always ending any conversation with "I love you".  He was never shy about telling the people he care about how much they meant to him.   If I could take away anything from knowing Dave, it's that.  To never let a day go by without letting those you love how important tney are.  

The last comversation we had was about ARod and the "shut the fuck up comment" Cashman made.  We both laughed about it and shook our heads. That's the memory I will keep of Dave, laughing and talking sports.  

I love you Dave.  The world was a better place with you in it and has lost a father, friend and true Mets fan.  Rest in peace.

MY MOM AND BASEBALL

Most people assume I get my love of baseball from my Dad.  That's only half true.  Yes, it was my dad who taught me how to hit, throw and catch a baseball.  And it was my father who played catch with me when I was little and bought me my first Yankees cap; but baseball was a family pastime when I was growing up and still is.

Every since I can remember the Yankees playing games, I can remember my mom cheering them on.  She can recount memories of listening to games on the radio as a kid, just as my father can.  It was my mom and dad who took me to my first game at Yankee stadium. She wasn't there because she had to be; she was there because she wanted to be.  

As the Yankees of the 90's and 2000's came into the spotlight, she along with my Dad and I cheered on the likes of Jeter, Pettitte, Bernie, Tino, Posada, Mariano, etc.  We would call each other after post season wins and losses starting each conversation with "Did you see that game?!"  We still do to this day. 

Last season when Andy Pettitte broke his shin bone on combacker, the first thing my Mom said to me that night when I called her after work was "Did you see what happened to Andy?"

My mom isn't a "fan girl" either.  Her love of the Yankees and baseball is about

the game itself.  She gets frustrated with bad plays, lack of hitting or bad pitching as well as a great win or steller pitching, just as any fan would.  She truly loves the game and she has past that on to me.

So, on this mother's day I will thank my beautiful mother for one of the great gifts she has given me..the love of baseball and specifically the Yankees.  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM! 

As usual, Go Yankees! 

YANKEES GETTING WINS....AND INJURED

Last night the Yankees got another win, Mo got another save and unfortunately another player got hurt. After only 5 pitches into the game, a foul ball hit Cervelli's hand and he was immediately taken out of the game. Turns out "Cisco" not only broke his hand, it requires surgery and will miss a minimum of six weeks. Romaine has been called up from the minors and will probably share the catching duties with Stewart. Cervelli has got to be wondering what exactly he did to piss off the baseball gods. In his short career he has had a broken wrist (spring training collision at the plate), a broken foot (fouled a ball off it) and got hit in the head by a pitch sustaining a pretty good concussion. The tough part for Cervelli is how hard he worked after spending last season in AAA, finally getting his chance to be the starting catcher, only to have this freak injury happen. He is a fighter, a grinder and although this must feel like a devastating setback to his career, he needs to find the fight again to come back once again. No doubt he will.

We also saw Nova get pulled in the 3rd after experiencing elbow pain. One must wonder how long he has really been feeling this pain and never said anything. He knows he had been fighting for a starter position and may have hoped the pain would just go away. Elbow pain for a pitcher can be scary and the first thing everyone thinks is Tommy John surgery. Nova is scheduled for an MRI and we'll just have to wait and see.

Youkilis was once again a scratch with back stiffness and may actually wind up on the DL, joining his teammates Jeter, Teix, A-Rod, Granderson, Cervelli and possibly Nova. Well if nothing else he is in all-star quality company. *sigh*

Yankee fans are starting to feel snake bit for sure when it comes to player injuries; but every team goes through it and though it may sound cliche, it's better this happen in April versus August. That said, the Yankees REALLY need to stay healthy because we are starting to run out of catchers and infielders.

Despite all this last night, Mariano got his 8th save, Robertson got his 3rd hold and the Yankees won the game, due to timely hitting and a little bit of luck. Sometimes in baseball it's better to be lucky than good. Last night the Yankees were both..well kind of lucky..

As usual, GO YANKEES!!