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Although the picture has faded, my memories of her have not. Forty years ago, on October 18, 1968…I saw Norma for the first time…and I loved what I saw!

It was on a Friday night in a farmer’s barn, as sophomores, while attending Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois…No…it was not during a heavy rainstorm…just the two of us soaking wet…trying to stay warm? Rats!!!

As “fate” would have it, Norma’s sorority ΑΟΠ (Alpha Omicron Pi) and my fraternity ΔΣΦ (Delta Sigma Phi) were working on a homecoming float together. Norma was a pledge, so it was mandatory that she be there to put in her time on the project. I was an active…and I had nothing better going on and homework certainly wasn’t my priority that night. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was on top of the hayrack working on our “Jack and the Beanstalk” theme, filling a puffy cloud with white tissue paper.

I looked to my right…and she was sitting there…smiling. My lifted – then sank. I noticed she was wearing a University of Illinois sweatshirt and a lavaliere. I assumed she was dating a U of I guy. Lesson…never assume anything! As it turned out, I was wrong…again. I was sooo happy to be wrong!

We actually have a treasured faded photograph taken that night of the scene I just described – before we had officially met and said hello. What are the odds of that? Again…there are no “accidents.” I often wonder how our lives would have turned out had we not both gone to the barn that night? For better or worse…for richer or poorer… for me, I am so grateful I went to the barn that night. I know the best things in life come by living life and staying engaged and active. Although TV and movies reflect our lives, they are certainly not a substitute for living our lives. So get off the couch and go out and live large…so when you find your special someone (if you haven’t already), you can go back to your couch. J

So how is Norma??? Last time I checked in with you was on August 8, 2008 – six months after her “event”!!

Norma is doing well. She is still on anti-seizure medication to protect her against the possibility of having a seizure. She also has not yet been cleared to drive but she is preparing for “takeoff”. On November 5, she will go back to Marianjoy to take her driving tests. One and one-half hours of “inside” tests…then one hour of real life actual driving! She is excited…and wants to get her car back…and her independence.

Dr. Chaudhuri at Marianjoy met with us on Thursday, September 4, and suggested that it would be best to continue to “proceed with caution” until after the first of the year before considering returning to work. We will first “look both ways” to see how Norma does on her driving test. Then we will “yield” to Dr. “C’s” recommendations after that to contemplate what “fork in the road” to take.

Norma is still working hard to improve her multi-tasking skills which still prevents her from returning to work at this time. We are of the understanding that Norma will return to Marianjoy sometime in January/February to retake six hours of neuropsych testing and evaluations like she completed in May of this year. This will allow us to measure her level of improvement since May…and also let us know what she will need to do “down the road.”

We also met with Norma’s local Neurologist, Dr. Bajwa, on Tuesday, September 30. He also recommended that we should continue to “move slowly through Norma’s construction zone” until the end of the year. He wants to do another EEG in January of 2009 and compare it to Norma’s last EEG, which was completed on June 30. This will allow us to compare the brain wave activity that is occurring in her left temporal lobe. Dr. Bajwa is hopeful to be able to begin weaning her off of the Kepra anti-seizure medication at that time if her results are perhaps the same or improved. We appreciate your continued prayers for Norma for her ongoing recovery.

So, as I end this writing, I find it interesting, and perhaps coincidental, that Norma and I received an announcement that Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, our ol’ alma mater, is celebrating “NIU homecoming” this weekend…Saturday…October 18^th! Will we be attending?? No…not this year…we will be at home…on the couch!

Enjoy the ride wherever your road takes you…and please continue hugs to friends and loved ones – and words of encouragement to as many of those that you can touch! In today’s tough economy and high prices…these things are free!