RAISED ROYAL

It was only a couple of years after my parents landed in Kansas City as refugees from Cuba that I was born at Baptist Hospital on Rockhill Road. My sister now lives in the house where we grew up. In summer, there were long games of catch between my Dad and my brother in the front yard. I’d sit on the stoop, as we listened to Denny Matthews call the Royals games on the radio. I can close my eyes and smell the hot concrete and feel the cool grass under my bare feet.

Winter Sunday afternoons played out like they did in most homes in the 70’s and 80’s, with Dad and Julio cheering (or yelling) at the TV. The spirit wear–and the team–were far less flashy then. But the fandom was just as intense, just as make-or-break-your-day. My brother was almost nine years old for that Super Bowl IV Chiefs victory, and has remained every bit as dedicated and optimistic a fan, through all the ups and downs.

In 2014, it was the Royals that saved us. Just 17 days after losing my Mom in September, the team went 12 innings to win the Wild Card game. What a balm that was for our sad, little grieving family. That thrilling postseason gave us something to turn our attention to, to talk about with Dad, to occupy the sudden, empty space. Our team was in the spotlight. Mom would have loved it.

A little over five years later, the Chiefs kicked off their current Championship run. I stood outside the bar, crying and straining to hear my uncle who called me from Miami to share in the excitement. Dad would have loved it.

We know that the tragic event at the victory parade wasn’t about the Chiefs. It wasn’t about erasing our memories or relationships, or dampening any of our hometown spirit. As we pray for those injured and grieving, we have to take a hard look at what it does say about our city, our laws and our leaders. It’s going to be a long year. Imagine what could happen if we turned our passion and rage, our energy and optimism to working for a safer, more just place to live. May it be so.

Dear One,

Heal the wounded, comfort the grieving, give us hearts and minds to challenge the systems that separate us. Amen.

Eli is a song leader at Peace and a proud Kansas Citian.