The Pope Over The Beatles (The Friday Ficks S5 E5)

Some things in life are negotiable.

Some are not.

In 1965, two epic events happened in New York City within weeks of each other.

The Beatles played Shea Stadium in front of 55,000 screaming fans.

Pope Paul VI said the first Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium before 90,000 faithful.

My mother went to the Papal Mass. Because that’s who she was.

She would have turned 89 today, January 31st. She set sail shortly after her 78th birthday.

This week, I’ve been thinking about her. About the way she lived her life. And about a choice she made—a choice that said everything about her.

After she died, I had to empty her safe deposit box. I wasn’t surprised to find her ticket to the Papal Mass. She had kept it for 49 years.

My mother’s quiet faith was unapologetically non-negotiable. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t performative. But it was firm.

Some things were simply not up for debate.

Like picking the Pope over the Beatles.

That’s what living was to her, without regret.

We all make choices. Every day. Some are trivial. Some define us.

What are your non-negotiables?

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl