Dear Cubs,

I have been doing a lot of thinking over the past few days.  Truth be told, we really had some great times this year.  I'll never forget the day that you were down by 8 runs against the Braves in the bottom of the 6th and came back to win the game.  Also, how about that night up in Milwaukee when Carlos threw that no-hitter?  That game happened with such short notice and I think that made it even that much more exciting for the both of us.  On that night we both thought that this was going to be something that would last a lifetime.

Some days, it was just you and I hanging out.  We'd always end up talking to other people that were around and met some great folks.  There were quite a few people that maybe had one too many roaming around your beautiful confines as well but as usual, we'd just laugh at them and go on our merry way.  Other days we'd be hanging out with friends and having a great time.  Perhaps on those days I didn't pay attention to you as much as I should have but I know you understand the importance that I place on my friends and family.

Finally, the big day had arrived.  I walked into your house with a feeling like I have never before felt.  In the 2nd inning of that chilly autumn night, Mark hit that 2 run home run and even though I could barely feel my fingers, it still felt to me like it did back in July.  And then… well, we both know what happened after that.  Never in my life have I been so embarrassed.  I sat there and watched you whither away faster than a bed of flowers would have with an early frost.  How could something so perfect deteriorate so quickly?  I have spent the past few days wondering where it all went wrong and if I can ever forgive you for this.  Right now, I'm not so sure that I can.

But who knows.  Maybe next April, we'll meet up again on the corner of Clark and Addison.  I'm sure things will be quite awkward at first as a lot of time will have passed since we have seen each other.  We'll both have gone through some changes over the winter and there will be new faces and new people all around.  Knowing me, I will probably just want to run away as experiencing the pain that I feel right now might be too much for me to ever go through again.

But maybe… just maybe… I will be able to get myself to join you for a drink.  Hopefully, it doesn't cost me too much money but I know you can be quite an expensive date.  After a couple of drinks though, I'm sure it will be just like old times.  We'll have some fun over the summer and then as usual, you will do something that will make me want to run to the confines of another team, maybe even in a completely different sport.  For now though, I bid thee farewell.  Let's both hope that time can heal both of our wounds.

Sincerely,

Jeff Gilleland