The Only Antidote for Revenge

Are you mad at someone right now? Have you ever been?

Alright, it’s a guaranteed “yes” for the second question; but it’s very possibly a “yes” for the first question, too.

They should pay for what they did. Right? Face it, we just tend to feel that way in some fashion – at least for a moment or two – when something happens that makes us upset.

But, what does that really gain for you, if the other person suffers? Nothing.

It doesn’t change the hurt that you feel. It doesn’t change the lack of peace from what happened.

So, what can change that?

Photo credit: Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune

Longtime Chicago sports national anthem singer Wayne Messmer was shot in the neck in April 1994.

Read this article for the full story. Here’s an excerpt:

Around 1:50 a.m. after a Blackhawks victory that April night, Messmer walked the 1 1/2 blocks to his car after leaving Hawkeye’s Bar and Grill at 1458 W. Taylor St. When Messmer attempted to drive away, two men approached the vehicle and one, a 15-year-old, shot him in the neck from point-blank range with a 9 mm pistol.

Somehow, Messmer drove back to the bar where he stumbled out of the car and into an ambulance that rushed him to Cook County Hospital. The “Save The Children Foundation” tie they used to stop the bleeding from Messmer’s neck until they reached the hospital now hangs in a frame on a wall at his home. After 10 hours of surgery and 2 1/2 days asleep, Messmer woke up feeling like the luckiest man in the city. One doctor later told Messmer he had no medical explanation why he survived, and with his voice intact.

“When you get that close to death, you get past why did it happen and ask why did I get better? What am I going to do with this gift?” said Messmer, who also still has the leather Blackhawks jacket with a bullet hole in the collar. “It was nothing short of miraculous. So I can’t possibly have a day I’m not totally grateful.”

With that spirit of gratefulness, Messmer visited the men who were responsible for his injuries and personally forgave them. This is what he had to say about that experience:

“I discovered that the only antidote for revenge is forgiveness.”

Amen. Thank you for the inspiration, sir.

Have a great day.

The Cubs Won The World Series

Yes, I am well aware that some time has now passed since this happened, but I’ve been busy. 🙂

The Cubs won the World Series.

I could get used to saying that.

It was an incredible season and the memories made, watching (and agonizing over) the games with family, will never be forgotten. What an amazing experience for us and for all Cubs fans.

My “W” flag has been flying in front of the house since the night they won it all, and will be staying out there until the 2017 season begins. Gotta love it.

Go Cubs, Go!

The Cubs are in the World Series!

Still elated. Still can’t completely believe it. Still replaying this clip, over and over.

The Chicago Cubs…yes, the Chicago Cubs…the Cubs…are in…the World Series!

YEAH!!!

Can’t wait to see what happens. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

Go Cubs, Go!

Cubs Win!

My gosh, this was a crazy game.

I was doing a fair amount of doubting before the comeback for the ages in the 9th inning. What a rally…what a finish! The Cubs showed a lot of heart out there.

This lifelong fan is beyond excited for what’s happening and what (hopefully) might be to come in this year’s playoffs.

Go Cubs, Go!

W!!!

I still can’t believe it! My beloved Chicago Cubs took down the mighty St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday night to wrap up an epic series and set off a celebration that hasn’t been experienced by Cubs fans in, well, forever.

They did it! They really did it. This young team, not expected to do much this year, outplayed the class of the division and the league, their arch rivals to advance to the National League Championship Series. And they did it at home!

I can only imagine what it was like being inside the hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field for this game, or Game 3 the night before. Two amazing performances with tons of fireworks and drama…and two Cubs victories to win the series.

Cubs fans everywhere are going bonkers with jubilation, and I am included in that list. I danced in the street last night. I chest bumped a co-worker who’s a fellow Cubs fan at work this morning. My parents refurnished their bathroom cabinets yesterday to fend off the nerves of anticipation for the game. The excitement is overflowing!

It’s an amazing feeling, and I hope the Cubbies can keep it going. Congratulations, guys and thank you for providing a lot of people with a lot of joy.

Go Cubs, Go.