Why Me? Why Not Me?

The past 48 hours have been extraordinary. I've probably given my motivation speech a thousand times and one of the components is "making a difference." I have often wondered if anyone was ever listening and apparently they were. I feel today like Sally Fields when she got the Oscar--"You love me, you really love me!" The many comments I have received via phone, email, blog, and letters make me realize more than ever that mine has been, and I hope continues to be, a life well lived.

I know it's time to take action, and I look forward to Monday's appointment in Chicago. Every day it gets a little tougher to swallow and my sleep is restless at best. Last night I dreamt I was a beer vendor at the Chicago stadium in 1967, and I only sold one case of beer while my director of "Across the Miles," Mark Dial sold 5 cases. Where did that come from??

As I walked in the Rec Center this morning (hey, I have to keep my sanity), I thought back to my conversation with former alumni director at WIU, Harry Gianneschi, who recently lost his 10-year battle with ALS. I interviewed Harry in Florida for my column about 8 years ago, and he was beginning to have some problems speaking. We did the usual perfunctory small talk, but I knew that in order to justify my trip I had to ask the tough question. I asked him if he ever thought "why me?" He didn't hesitate a second. He looked at me, smiled, and said, "I never asked why me when I got my Ph.D. I never asked why me when I married my lifetime partner Pat. I never asked why me when my two fine sons were born, and I never asked why me when I got wonderful recognition and promotions during my career. Therefore, I see no reason to ask why me now when the sledding is getting a little tough." There we were, two broken down old jocks, with tears in our eyes, trying to make the best of a tough situation. We had come a long way from two basketball teammates who knew that whoever inbounded the ball to the other would never see it again. Some good advice from a good friend.

Gordon III has arrived today and Ryan tomorrow so it will be a weekend of NCAA basketball, a little driveway basketball, and, of course, gourmet meals compliments of the best restaurant in Macomb, "Diane's kitchen." I am anxious and ready for Monday to arrive.