One year ago today, the Red Sox boarded Duck Tour boats in Boston and took center stage in a party that served as the culmination of 86 years of waiting. Millions poured into the streets of Boston, and poured their hearts out for the hometown heroes. The party was on – and it didn’t end for months.

For one offseason, all the stories from Red Sox Nation were good. Church bells rang, champagne bottles were uncorked, and the Commissioner’s Trophy was beginning a journey that would lead to cities and towns across New England. A baseball sat in the home of Doug Mientkiewicz, and became the most contested piece of baseball property in decades.

Three days earlier, cell phones buzzed throughout Red Sox Nation, ringing in the celebration. In the moments between Keith Foulke’s throw to first and the start of NESN’s post-game show, I made a call and received another. The first was my call to my father in Lewiston, a call I promised to make in 1986 when I almost made a call from a television station in New York. The other was a call from my son at home, who had fallen asleep in the middle innings but was up to see the final out.

An 83-year old, a 40-year old, and an 8-year old, all celebrating the first Red Sox World Championship of our lifetime.

Anniversaries are a time for reminiscing, a moment to look back at the good times. Today, we remember Foulke as the gritty closer who threw pitch after post-season pitch, and should’ve been named the Series MVP. We remember Manny Ramirez as the clutch hitter who showed us how badly he really did want to win.

We remember Derek Lowe as a pitcher who showed unforeseen courage, standing as the winning pitcher in all three clinching games. We remember Mark Bellhorn as a man who made contact when it was needed the most.

Time, of course, changes everything. We now have very different opinions of many of the men we hailed as heroes last October. Red Sox Nation is a different place in October 2005. The contract negotiations concerning GM Theo Epstein have been long and drawn out, with hints of underlying bitterness in the front office. Last year’s World Series MVP has reportedly asked for a trade. Maybe it’s Manny being Manny, again … but he’s threatening not to report to spring training.

These are feelings we’ll have to deal with all winter long. The trophy is headed for another town, and the lease has expired on our right as “defending World Champions.” These are melancholy times, baby.

But let’s not allow that melancholy to seep into our fan psyche this weekend. Let’s celebrate the anniversary by remembering what was. One year ago tonight, everything changed for Red Sox Nation.

And remember, after winning a first Super Bowl, the Patriots didn’t make the playoffs the following season before winning the next two and earning the right to be called a Dynasty.

Lewiston native Tom Caron is a studio host for Red Sox telecasts on NESN.