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Three months ago today, Norma was undergoing major brain surgery at UIC…in some ways, it seems longer…and in other ways, shorter. I’ve never been a very good judge of time. However, three months later, I…we…are very grateful and very blessed!

Today being Friday, Norma will complete her third therapy of the week. She is also currently being assessed by the neuro-psych team at Marianjoy to evaluate her progress – both the pluses and the minuses. They call them deficits. Norma had her first of three sessions on Tuesday for two hours and today she will complete her second two-hour evaluation from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Her third segment will be next week on Tuesday, May 13. Once she completes this assessment, Norma will next meet with Dr. Walsh and then they will inform us how she is doing overall and what we need to focus and work on to continue to improve…and ultimately, hopefully return to work…and yes…Norma is still extremely driven to drive!

Three Februarys ago, Norma and I attended Toy Fair in New York along with our “Dream Team” – Joann, Lynny, Nancy, Ginger, Gary and Amanda. We work hard during the day but we also treat ourselves to some nice dinners out and at least one night at “the theatre.” That year we chose to see the “new” musical “Wicked”, music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. A couple of weeks prior to the show, we gave everyone who would be attending a CD of the “Wicked” sound track so they could become more familiar with both the music and the story line. It was a fantastic musical play!  Click the image link to hear the song on youtube.

My personal favorite song is entitled “For Good” and it is sung by the two main characters: Elphaba (The “wicked” witch of the west) and Glinda (The “good” witch of the north). The lyrics are as follows: (No…I can’t sing!)

Elphaba: I’m limited.

Just look at me…I’m limited.

And just look at you –

You can do all I couldn’t do, Glinda.

So now it’s up to you for both of us –

Now it’s up to you…

Glinda: I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn.

And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them,

and we help them in return.

Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true, but I know I’m who I am today

because I knew you…

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun.

Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood.

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?

But because I knew you, I have been changed for good…

Elphaba: It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime.

So let me say before we part…

So much of me is what I have learned from you.

You’ll be with me, like a hand print on my heart.

And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine

by being by good friend…

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea.

Like a seed dropped by a skybird in a distant wood.

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?

But because I knew you…

Glinda: But because I knew you…

Both: I have been changed for good.

Elphaba: And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness for the things I’ve done you

blame me for.

Glinda: But then, I guess we know there’s blame to share.

Both: And none of it seems to matter anymore…

Because I knew you…I have been changed for good…

To me, this song “speaks volumes” as our good friend Brian Roberts always says! So while Norma and I are still here and healthy, we want to simply say thanks to all of you for…

In last Friday’s posting, I left you all with a question, “What would you give, or trade, to be granted one more fantastic day here on earth?” Did you have time to think about this and come to any conclusions? I would bet not!

For far too many of us, life is so busy and hectic that we don’t take the time to truly enjoy it…to improve and mend our relationships…to have courageous conversations…to talk…take a walk…to share and to really listen. Norma and I plead guilty on this…until recently. We are the lucky ones. Many are not so fortunate.

I believe that I can answer for both Norma and I. If we could have one more fantastic day, we would give everything we have (because it really wasn’t ours to begin with) to have one more day with you. To look into your eyes and into your soul…to offer a parting hug…and to say thank you for changing us for good! Thank you for placing your hand prints on our hearts and we would ask you for forgiveness for the things we’ve done you blame us for…even though we know there is blame to share…because during our last day…it wouldn’t matter anymore!

We ask and pray that you all “mend your fences” while you can – no regrets!

Love,

Norma & Ken

kenireland2@aol.com

P.S. We're including an article about Norma's neurosurgeon. He's the doctor that inserted her ventricular drain at St. Joseph's emergency room. He was instrumental in saving her life.

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