Oct. 14--Some people lived a lifetime without seeing the Cubs clinch a post-season series in Chicago.
One way family members are paying homage to Cubs fans that passed away? Facebook.
Some Chicago fans are sharing Cubs exhilaration with family members on the social media sharing site -- messages like "I bet Mom is up in Heaven celebrating" and "I wish she was still around to watch her Cubbies now," sometimes with snaps of fans in Cubs gear, smiling.
Many on Facebook shared videos from the Cubs' official Facebook page, mentioning family members celebrating in the afterlife.
On one man's memorial page, others posted photos of the game with W's and, "You sure would be lovin this!"
"I know you're up in heaven watching this with all your uncles and your grandpa!" one person wrote. "Some of the biggest Cubs fans around! Having a few beers to celebrate this win! Sure would be cool if you were down here to celebrate!"
On other pages, fans wrote, "Wish I could see him pacing back and forth cussing at the tv, or in this case cheering his a--off!"
After Monday's game, James Jamerson, a prosecutor in Indiana, wrote on his James Jamerson for Judge page, "I have been a Cubs fan since birth. My great grandfather is celebrating in heaven with last night's record setting performance."
Fran Solomon, founder of HealGrief.org, said social media sites provide a healthy way for surviving family to invoke members who have died, at a time when the pain of missing them might be ever more sharp.
"It's a very healthy perspective," she said.
"When big events happen, like someone being a huge Cubs fan, and they're no longer alive: 'You would have been so excited' -- it's like writing a letter," she said. "Now it's on social media."
People feel comfortable grieving publicly now, she said.
"It keeps them feeling close; it keeps them feeling connected," she said.
On HealGrief pages, people often write notes to family members on memorial sites, like a post to a mother on her birthday.
"It is very therapeutic and cathartic to continue the relationship even after the person has died," Solomon said.
abowen@tribpub.com
