A lot of people who would, well, they're dead right now.
But a lot of people who know what his means to me, well, they're very much alive.
Pop, when you couldn't breathe, cuz you worked for 30 years in an asbestos factory, you told me I would live to see this. I wish you were here with me right now. I wish I could dig you up and open your coffin and you would jump up all undead and shit and hug me. Cuz I wanna hug you one last time. And sing "Tessie" bright and loud into your undead face.
Even if you wanted to eat my brains, I wouldn't care. Eat 'em.
I wanna hug your dead ass so bad, it hurts my heart, my liver, and my soul that I can't split a bottle of Jameson's with you right now. I'd give anything to do it. Really, I would.
Papa Harold, your sins are forgiven. And I know my dad forgives you, too. I wish I knew you better. But you're part of me. You're one-quarter of what I am, and I thank you for that quarter. I know exactly what quarter of me you are. Often times it isn't the best quarter of me, but I know it's yours, and I know its value.
Eighty-six years.
Women couldn't vote 86 years ago.
There was no National Football League. There was no National Basketball Association.
Free Americans who once lived as slaves lived 86 years ago.
86 years ago, there was only one World War.
86 years ago, there was no Adolf Hitler. (Well, he wasn't in any position of power anyway...)
86 years ago, there were no nuclear weapons.
86 years ago, there was no Cold War.
86 years ago, we were on the precipice of peace.
86 years ago, we knew not of Cancer.
86 years ago, we knew not of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
86 years ago, we knew not of HIV.
Hell, 86 years ago, we didn't know how to beat Polio. But, eventually, we kicked that bitch's ass.
86 years ago, The World was full of hope.
May The World have learned a lot in the last 86 years. I know it's a lot to ask. But if Yankee fans can root for the Sox to beat their own curse, then anything is possible.
We're all rooting for 86 years of prosperity. All of us, FOR all of us.
