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February 8, 2014
I bought flowers for Norma today.
Another year has passed since I posted on Norma’s website.
Today marks the 6th anniversary of her brain aneurysm.
Anniversaries are a time for celebrations….but they also mark a time
of loss.
One year ago today, while we were basking in the sun of Nawiliwili (Kauai)
Hawaii, our good friend Brian Roberts texted us to let us know his Dad, Jim
Roberts, had lost his battle to cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Six years ago, while recovering at home, Norma received a very memorable get
well card. It was from our very
good friends Steve and Kathy Hermsen in Appleton, Wisconsin.
On the inside cover of the card, Steve had written:
| Norma and Ken, You are in our thoughts always. We've been following your progress on your website and we're glad to see your great progress. On Friday, February 8th, my Mother suffered a severe stroke and passed that Sunday. I've been praying that she will keep you safe, Norma, and if she has any connections, that she ask God to help you through this. May God Bless you and grant you a speedy recovery, |
|
Love and Prayers, Steve and Kathy |
| (from my Saturday, March 29, 2008 post) |
Two identical sets of circumstances… two totally different outcomes and two
very different anniversaries - one a celebration of a life continuing and
the other a celebration of a life well lived.
Thank you, Mom Hermsen, for watching over Norma and so many others
all these years. You also Pa
Roberts.
Norma and I just returned (February 7, 2014) from a beautiful vacation in
sunny and warm Liberia, Costa Rica.
We traveled with our Northwestern Mutual friends Dan and Carolyn
Dial, Jim and Sue Chesney, Dale and Karen Roberts, Dennis and Cecile
Kratohwil, Mike and Donna McCoy, John and Linda Tibensky and Jay and Pat
Kolka. It was a great time to
escape the extreme cold and snowy winter all of us have been enduring in the
Midwest. Besides over-indulging
at our all inclusive resort at the Riu Palace, we also ventured out together
to explore. We all zip-lined
through the Rain Forest. (“Jimella
Chesney” opted out after 5 of 11 runs!)
We also set sail together for an afternoon snorkeling sunset tour, passing
by beautiful elevated coastal homes owned by Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt and
Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, and several other well known
celebrities. On our way to our
snorkeling site, we witnessed a whale’s total breach out of the water from
the depths of the ocean floor.
MAJESTIC!
We were also scheduled to take a river canopy tour on Thursday, our last
full day at the resort before travelling back to reality.
Unfortunately, four of the ladies in our group ate something on
Wednesday that made them ill…Norma being one of them.
Fortunately, all were able to rally and make the tour except for
Norma. I opted to stay back in
our room to be with her.
I must admit I was feeling somewhat sorry for myself and I found myself
thinking about all the fun and sights we were missing with our friends as
Norma lay in bed attempting to rest and recover for our Friday return flight
to frigid Chicago O’Hare. After
sulking for a while, I eventually seized this opportunity to slip out onto
our spacious second floor balcony overlooking the resort pools and the ocean
to continue reading our good friend Dick Gove’s first novel, “Innocence
Betrayed…Secrets on the Fox River” (Richard
C. Gove - available via Amazon.com).
Dick was one of my main mentors back in our early days at
Northwestern Mutual and he had a life- changing impact on our lives along
with Dave Corrie and Bill Roeder, Jr.
Dick Gove is our friend that introduced us to the stories and music of Harry
Chapin. One of Harry Chapin’s
songs “Greyhound” reminds us that it’s not so much about our destination in
life that is important, but rather enjoying our journey along the way that
truly matters.
“Stepping off of this dirty bus first time I’ve understood”.
It’s got to be the going not the getting there that’s good.
That’s a thought for keeping if I could.
It’s got to be the going…..not the getting there that’s good.
Click photo to listen
to the Youtube Song
So it occurred to me that even though we missed the boat for our Thursday
excursion…I was still with Norma…and even more importantly, she is still
with me…and there was no place I would rather be…still taking this journey
together. Yes, it’s got to be
the going…not the getting there that’s good!
Yes, I brought flowers to Norma today.
I was Blessed again by God’s mercy as I witnessed the joy in her eyes
as she received them. Happy
Anniversary, Norma! You are
truly the love of my life.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Good Friends.
Enjoy “the going”…and make it good!
