thoughts of extra innings

shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister

This evening, more than 200 friends and family members attended the Oakland A's game to raise money for the memorial scholarship funds for our cousin Zoe. It was a successful and fun-filled event!

There were so many moments when I just knew that both Cindy and Zoe were smiling right back at all of us, as we were looking up into the beautiful, bright sky.

Most notably, hearing my niece Michaela cheering "Let's Go A's!" and "Let's Go Scott!" (Kazmir, tonight's starting pitcher). This was her first A's game. I'm sure Cindy was pleased that the tradition of young Rabuy girls attending A's games was being upheld.

The game went into extra innings, and unfortunately the A's lost in the 12th inning.

But there were two other moments that made it so worth the time and energy of sitting through the entire game. And that was getting to see our mom - sporting her bright gold A's jersey and matching gold A's cap - singing and dancing to the music playing in between those late, extra innings.

I know one time she was dancing to the song "Shout!" from the movie Animal House, and I think the other time it was to the song "Ladies' Night" by Kool and the Gang. Watching her dance was priceless.

Our mom was channelling Cindy's silly, playful energy. And as I turned to watch my daughter Cyn Cyn dancing along with her Lola, I realized just where that energy originated from; that we all got it from her.

Thanks for the reminder, Cindy. And thanks for giving me even more reasons to enjoy an evening at an A's game. I have a feeling that you and Zoe were dancing along with us too!