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February 14, 2018

Valentine’s Day

“If I could save time in a bottle… The first thing that I’d like to do

...is to save every day till eternity passes away…just to spend them with you…”

February 8th, 2018

My 94 year old Mother and I bought flowers for Norma today.  February 8, 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of Norma’s brain aneurysm she suffered at her Chalkboard store located in Crest Hill, shortly after 10:00am. 

Every year at this time, I become very melancholy, and thankful that she survived this “event.” That’s how we refer to it…as “Norma’s Event.”  Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for her “presents.”I am embarrassed to confess that I haven’t posted a journal entry for 4 years now.  I initially started posting online at the suggestion of our friend and fellow Northwestern Mutual Rep., Dan Pearson.  He volunteered to set up a website for us at: www.normaireland.org just after Norma was airlifted to UIC in Chicago (similar to Caring Bridge, but our own site).  His caring and commitment to helping us has simply been…remarkable!  In the early days of Norma’s struggles, while I and many were holding 24/7 vigils in her intensive care room, this website gave us the ability to stay connected with everyone who was interested in Norma’s recovery.  They could simply click on her website and learn how she was doing.  I found this not only to be a “life saver” for me, but it allowed me the opportunity to stay connected with everyone byposting on her site as often as I was able.   I didn’t have to repeat the same daily story to everyone that wanted to call in…it was right there in her journal.

This allowed us to focus and concentrate on Norma’s needs and her recovery.  Posting in her journal allowed me the therapy I needed to also share my personal feelings and experiences…and to share those feelings with anyone that might be interested.  For me…this was wonderful healing therapy and time to reflect.  So, Dan, thank you for your caring and kindness.  Interestingly enough, Dan and I just shared our 45th career anniversary with Northwestern Mutual.  We both started working with Northwestern Mutual in October 1972…WOW…yes…if “we” could save time in a bottle…

So much has occurred since I last posted on February 14, 2014…no doubt all of your lives have spun as quickly.  I began sifting through pictures on my iPhone…and so much has happened in these past 4 years.  It reminds me how precious life and time really is…

On September 26, 2014, my best lifelong buds, Mike Mudry, Pete Andrews, Dave Petersohn, and Dave Augustine (Augie) visited Field of Dreams.   We took Augie because he was battling lung cancer.  He fought courageously with great FAITH!  Augie lost his fight in December of 2015.


Mike, Augie, Dave and Pete
Dave, Mike, Augie, Pete, Ken

“…If words could make wishes come true”….I would wish that Augie was still with us!  Actually…he still is…and always will be.

A lifelong Cubs fan, on November 2, 2016, Augie had the “best seat in the house” as we all celebrated the Cubs first World Series Championship since 1908.

As I sit here alone, writing Norma another love letter, I can’t help but draw the analogy that life is like a fine bottle of wine.  We sip from it and enjoy it’s fullness…it’s richness.  At times it is sweet and sometimes bittersweet.  And all our bottles begin full, and some bottles will last longer than others.  But we all attempt to make the best with what we have and with the time we have been given.  We should all strive to “save every day like a treasure”…because one day our bottles will be empty.

What I am eternally grateful for is that Norma has enriched my life and filled my heart with joy and happiness.  I have been Blessed and my cup runneth over!

“…And I’ve looked around enough to know…that she’s the one I want to go through time with.”  Thank you Norma and Praise Be to God!

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone.  May your glasses be full, and overflow!

Love and Hugs,

Norma and Ken


Youtube Link:

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with
Songwriters: JIM CROCE
Time In A Bottle lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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