prior page - Back to Norma's Home Page - next page
February 8, 2012
Four years ago on this date, I stood frightened and “alone” in a hospital parking lot in Joliet. It was a cold, gray overcast morning and tiny ice pellets blasted my face as I watched Norma’s helicopter begin its journey to UIC in Chicago. She had just suffered a brain aneurysm.
As her helicopter ascended upwards along with my prayers, I was enveloped with a sense of peace. Four years later, the screen saver photo on my I-phone is the photo that I took that morning of Norma’s helicopter being lifted upwards towards a sun-filled hole in the clouds, giving me my sense of peace that day. I was not alone and neither was Norma. The finger of God had shown her pilot the way.
We are so blessed that she is with us and doing so well. I am so fortunate to be able to witness the smile on her face and the gleam in her eyes when I brought her flowers today…to celebrate this “additional anniversary”. I understand that others less fortunate may be delivering and receiving graveside flowers today – a different experience but equally important!
Although Norma has been unable to return to work at her Chalkboard stores, she remains busy and happy at home. Her stores continue to be expertly managed and operated by her faithful and dedicated staff and family, which is another huge blessing to us and our customers!
I feel great joy that Norma is happy and content and always smiling. When we are together, we oftentimes reflect back to our college days and how we first met. We reminisce about family and friends and it is interesting to me that these conversations never grow old. It occurs to me that they never grow old because these conversations take us back to some of the happiest days of our lives together. It was a time when our relationship together was growing and we were building the foundations of our union and life together. It was exciting then…and it is still so today. We no longer take each other for granted…we enjoy each and every day because we know we can’t guarantee tomorrow in this life.
I would encourage each and every one of you to take some time out to just hold hands and reflect back in time to your “happy places and times.” I believe you will find that you will be re-energized and you will re-kindle feelings you may have subconsciously suppressed. Talk with each other about falling in love and revisit how and when it happened and “go there” often! Love should never grow old just because we grow older. This life here on earth should be treasured. All our experiences – good, bad and indifferent – are simply a “dress rehearsal” for the life that is yet to come.
Perhaps Forrest Gump said it best when he stated “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get”! I further believe you get what you give. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching on February 14th. I’m not in the candy business but it would be sweet if you would share a box of chocolates with someone you truly care about and perhaps, as you savor each sweet bite, you can share a special memory with your loved one(s). Take a bite…share a memory. Take another bite…share another memory. My wish for you is that you consume the whole box of chocolates together… and take many small bites. As our friend Jim Chesney always says, “It’s not about the money, it’s all about the memories”.
Speaking of memories, Norma and I will be forever grateful for the gift of prayers she continues to receive from family and friends. We thank God for his mercy and grace!
May God Bless you and keep you. Bon appétit!
Norma & Ken
P.S. We would love to hear from you about your box of chocolates!