mom's was taking notes from day one

At some point early in the process, my mom decided to chronicle the events surrounding my hospitalization and treatment for the stroke I experienced on October the 9th while running the Chicago marathon. The document and the insights revealed by each entry provide a remarkable illustration of the extraordinary power of family and its potential to inspire the human spirit to confront and overcome adversity that could never be managed by " going it alone." I qualify this testimony of the power of family by admitting that I am extraordinarily blessed with great parents and siblings all of whom- as the following narrative will detail-have invested great time, talent and treasure to construct and maintain something as precious as it is rare: a remarkably functional family unit. For those who read this that may (by fate and circumstance) happen not to be blessed with such a large and genorous family, may you still find in this narrative some vision into to the enormous potential for good to be gained through humane and loving relations regardless of the nature, size or label of the relationship or network of relationships in which sincere, respectful and nurturing love might be found. More significantly, may you find, perhaps, sufficient inspiration to recognize and nurture the relationships and networks to which you are already engaged or connected. My greatest hope : may this story provide you with either the how and/or the why to give and thereby receive.