John’s thoughts, rants, and crazy ideas
Is there a single movie you’ve seen more times than The Wizard of Oz, not me or Suzanne? Who didn’t wait every year to watch that movie when it played? During our annual trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, we decided to change our focus one day. The Wizard of Oz was playing at ‘The Sphere,’ and we heard so much about it that we bought tickets. If you’re not familiar with The Sphere in Vegas, imagine…
Time sure does fly. Although it seems like yesterday, it was just 5 years ago today that Suzanne rang the bell at Rush Radiology. The amount of life’s experiences we have shared in this past five years could be considered a lifetime for some individuals. Beginning two months later with Suzanne’s surgery. Fourteen hours of waiting room time for me, but a total life-altering event for her. The mental challenge she faced with being told she would likely never eat…
First, let me wish everyone a happy Father’s Day! This is the day we celebrate our fathers, the ones who showed us the way. The way to treat our moms, how to work, even how to play. Many took time out of a busy day to throw a ball, teach us how to mow the yard or just sit and share a can or pop. Most of all, it was the fun stuff they shared that provided the memories we…
We all have that friend or family member who at some point is totally in their element, a place that transcends them into a zoned-out mental state discussing some topic that you find mildly interesting. You Can ask him/her a question about computers, dinosaurs, woodworking, or cooking and the next thing you know you’re immersed in their world, listening to a conversation exploding with details you never expected. You may be at the zoo with another family and one of…
We purchased a flat of strawberries from the Cissna Park FFA this week and today, Suzanne was making a strawberry pie to take to her dad’s tomorrow. I grabbed one from the bowl she was working out of and took a bite. Not too sweet but very juicy and the first thought that went through my mind was ‘Pretty good, but not as good as Bacon’. There are many foods I crave and yes, bacon is probably at the top…
We’ve all been there, first time to the church picnic to find out everyone else knew to bring their own table service; attending your child’s first athletic banquet to learn you were supposed to bring a rose to give your athlete during the ceremony; or your first company Christmas party and everyone but you brought a gift for the exchange. And, all you can say is: If I’d have known That was us last Friday when Suzanne had her follow-up…
As humans, too often are we faced with the loss of a loved one. In most cases, despite their age, that moment in time when we are informed of their death is still a shock. Tears flow, memories rush through our minds, and more tears flow. Eventually, we return to a sense of calm and our rational being takes over and you realize that they were what? 94, 97, or even older? When you finally put it all in perspective,…
If you’re in the same age bracket as me, I’m sure you find yourself opening boxes in the attic to find out what’s inside. In your mind you’re thinking, I don’t need my kids going through all that stuff somewhere down the road. That was me just the other day when I decided to open a mystery box. Well, it really wasn’t a mystery as I sort of knew the box was full of name badges and buttons from my…
Suzanne had her Monday and Tuesday all planned out. Since her Biopsy was scheduled for Tuesday at noon we made an appointment with her prosthodontist on Monday to maximize our trip. And since she had Monday afternoon off, a shopping visit to a big fabric store was on the agenda as well as a nice dinner out. As we packed and prepared to leave Monday morning, I got a call from the UIC Dental school that Dr S. was ill…
Like many families, our kids are somewhat scattered, each of them has developed their own local relationships. The chance to visit and share in their activities is in direct relationship to their distance away from us. Family and the relationships it provides are important to the human condition. Everyone needs that interpersonal connection and find a way to fill that void if it exists. For Suzanne, a local sewing group aids in that process, a golf league for me, but…