Re "20 years later, the story we'll never forget" by Dan Shaughnessy (Page A1, Oct. 20): Picture it ... 2004, the curse is finally lifted. I'm in a crowd of other cheering Red Sox fans for a duck boat celebration. It's a frenzy of appreciation and joy. A youngster of about 10 or 11 standing next to me looks my way and says, "Lady, I've waited my whole life for this." I smile at him and respond, "Sweetie, my father died waiting for this."

Dan Shaughnessy's commentary on the Red Sox' 2004 championship generated more than 200 comments from BostonGlobe.com readers. Following is an edited sampling:

Across the generations and beyond the grave

In 2004 every Bostonian had one relative who they were thrilled was still alive to see it and one relative who they wished had lived to see it. (Green-apple)

I immediately called my mom, who loved the Red Sox her entire life. I watched the game at a friend's house, and while I was driving home around 1 a.m., the car in front of me stopped at a cemetery in Malden. The driver got out and hopped the fence with a bottle of champagne in his hand, presumably going in to celebrate with a lost loved one. (bh1214)

In 1986 I sat in my living room and stared at my television in disbelief. I did the same in 2003. I did the same in 2004 and felt a relief that I can't describe but Dan Shaughnessy does it perfectly. My father always talked about the agony of 1948 and 1949, when the Sox lost the pennant on the last day of the season. He passed away in 2001 and my first thoughts after the Sox won in St. Louis were of him and all the Sox fans who had their hopes crushed year after year. (Fastball416)

I drove up to my grandfather's grave in Bartlett, N.H., planted a Red Sox pennant, and told him, "We won, Grampa." He had missed it by 20 years, and he needed to know. (Wait 'til This Year)

Remember that week? No one slept. Wherever you went -- the kids' bus stop, the T platform, a meeting, a street corner -- this was all anyone talked about. We were all a part of it and felt we had to pay attention so that if the power of will could make it happen, we'd provide it. (rmpjr)

I am probably the only Sox fan in the world who will admit this, but when Mariano Rivera came in to close out Game 4 of the ALCS for the Yankees, I told my wife, "I've seen this too many times before" -- I was 50 at the time -- "I have to be up at 5:30, I'm going to bed." The next morning just before I left for work, my wife said they won (the Sox have always been "they" in our house), and I said, "Well, at least we didn't get swept." I still believe to this day that if I had stayed up, they would have lost. (fhoinRI)

After the ALCS Game 5 win, I went on eBay and bought two tickets to Game 7 at Yankee Stadium for $300. I'll never forget the reaction of the crowd when Johnny Damon hit the grand slam off Javier Vazquez. You could hear a pin drop. (MikeD9354)

I was hooked on the Sox as a kid in '67. Enjoyed games with my father and brothers and, later, with my boys. Although I didn't travel much in my modest professional working career, where the heck was I when the Sox won the World Series? Alone in a hotel room in Las Vegas wishing I was home with my kids. Still, the Sox finally won and that's what mattered most. (jjshello)

I was at Game 4 in St. Louis. Aside from the thrill of the win, one of my biggest takeaways was how gracious the Cardinals fans were. They knew how big this was. (tanggolf)

The boldness of Theo Epstein (and Dan Duquette) to assemble just the right band of misfits who were fit to break the weight of a supposed curse is an epic story in and of itself. The trading of once-beloved Nomar Garciaparra, the trade deadline acquisition of Dave Roberts in case we needed an important steal in the playoffs, Curt Schilling from the Thanksgiving dinner deal-making to the bloody sock. It was like the coming together of the Beatles -- just the right guys for the hardest task in sports. (MA351)

Ask me to choose between the 2004 Red Sox and Bill Russell and the Celtics' long dominance of the game of basketball, and I will take the Celtics' dynasty every time. Heck, I will even take the 1969 Celtics title alone -- a low-seeded "too old" Celtics team beating the L.A. Lakers' "super team " of Wilt, West, and Baylor in Game 7 of the NBA Finals -- as a greater accomplishment. (user_3990426)

If the Pats had actually managed that perfect 2007 season, it would have been right up there. But as it is, the 2004 World Series stands alone. (SoxDem1)

My brother's not a sports fan. He leads a wonderful, fulfilling, happy life, but I still sometimes regret that he doesn't get to experience moments like this one. (buzz3)

Movies try to create plots as dramatic as 2003 and 2004, and they can't come close. This was all real. (davidman820)

To this day it's the only duck boat parade I've attended. I couldn't miss it. (newsyoucanuse)

Occasionally one comes across a photo that needs no caption or explanation. Perfect in its simplicity. This is one of those. (Fastball416)