Moving “four”ward!
The last six weeks have been an uphill battle against an illness that I have been “playing tag” with for four years now. If not for the incredible people who work at MacNeal Hospital, I am not sure that I would be sharing my thoughts with you today.
Now is a good time to send a hug full of “thanks” to the physicians from several departments who oversaw my recovery, in particular, Dr. Mary Wise. Dr. Wise is my personal physician and one of the most patient women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Many times I have said, “There is nothing better than a great group of nurses,” and while I am here at MacNeal, I have the best.
I do not think anyone in my situation can walk away in good health without the love, compassion and know-how of these wonderful nurses. I spent a solid month under the care of the nursing staff and PCT’s in 42 South. What a group of hardworking men and women. Recently, I have been moved to 45 South where the staff is equally as dedicated to my care. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of the lifesaving health care workers at MacNeal.
In addition, I have some special friends in the Security and Engineering Departments, none more special than my “therapist”, Jan Pechota. Jan has helped me keep my sanity while I recover. She is and will remain a cherished friend for a lifetime.
Lastly, I cannot forget the tireless efforts of my immediate family and close friends along with all the “well wishes” from my readers who make me feel very lucky to be alive. Special sentiments goes out to my parents, Sharon and Attilio Lavorato, my Auntie Rita and Uncle “Pete” (Biancofiori), my “sister” Rose Rossini and my best friend Petar Stevlic who have made everyday a little easier.
God bless you all!
“Four” the love of the job
I seem to be asking myself a lot lately, “Where does the time go?”
This month I am celebrating my fourth year as the author of this column. I am one of those rare, but lucky people who can say that they love their job. I have made many friends in the last four years ranging from politicians to housewives and I truly enjoy the scores of correspondence I receive each day whether in the form of an email, phone call or face to face conversation.
I owe my career in journalism to Kay Iwaniec. One afternoon on a very cold November day, Kay initiated a conversation with me that started with, “Mario, you always have a lot to say. You should write a column for the newspaper.”
Well, it has been a love affair with this laptop ever since and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This job has opened doors for me that otherwise would have been slammed in my face. But, most of all, the best part of this ‘gig’ is the people that I get to meet and greet every single day.
Recently, Mario’s Mark went into syndication following the fortitude of my fabulously talented counterpart, Debra L. Solomon. Debbie allows me to bring my column each week to the internet with her colorful and inspirational website.
Deb is a blast to work with and I enjoy every project that we dive into together. No one makes me look and sound better than she does.
If it appears that I am the luckiest guy in the world; that’s because I am!
“Four” more years, Part I
There is nothing I enjoy more than covering politics. This column has afforded me the opportunity to meet and work with some exceptional public servants. But, on the other side of the ballot, I have made a few elected officials a bit testy in the last four years whether inside Berwyn City Hall or the Governor’s “Mansion” and even high atop Capital Hill. So, why stop now?
With that in mind let me say this; the voters of Illinois, buy a slim margin, foolishly re-elected Rod Blagojevich as our governor. It was a good thing I was on a heart monitor last Tuesday as the results came in because I needed a few strong breaths following the Associated Press projecting Blago’ as the winner.
Blagojevich along with his campaign staff and his close supporters should be ashamed of the way they ran their “smear” campaign. This man spent $15 million dollars on the most disgusting, tasteless and pathetic negative television ads I have ever seen or heard. He gives the word “election” a horrible definition in the fact that money, not pressing the issues, knocking on doors or debating can win you the top seat in Illinois.
Spending $15 million dollars may have won Blagojevich re-election, but personally he didn’t do himself any favors in the fact that it may cost him just as much in legal fees when he is crushed by the federal prosecutors for being no better than the likes of George Ryan.
Of course, Blago’ will have to find a replacement for his recently indicted friend Tony Rezko, who played the role of his chief campaign fundraiser. Someone is going to have to replenish the Blagojevich “legal defense fund”.
“Four” more years, Part II
Recently, I was I asked if another four years was in the cards for me as the author of Mario’s Mark. The answer to that question is “absolutely” and this gives me the perfect chance to explain what fuels my motivation and why. Let me share with you just one story that makes that point.
This past June, I received an email from a reader in Brookfield asking for a little assistance to help her sister in a not-so-uncommon predicament. The reader, Sally Bemis explained to me that her sister Mary (Johnson) had gone blind from diabetes earlier in the year and was unable to read and enjoy her favorite newspaper columnist, yours truly. After I soaked my swollen head in ice, I called Sally to see how I could help. To my surprise I was shocked to learn that Sally herself was suffering from throat cancer and could barely speak. She told me that reading the newspaper articles and my column to her sister was not an option anymore due to her own illness.
So, here’s what I did. I called the Chicago Center for the Blind. A wonderful young man who worked for CCB explained that he knew of a senior citizen who volunteered her free time by reading to the blind and homebound. This was great news for Mary and Sally as I arranged for the volunteer, who’s asked me not to print her name, to spend a few hours a week reading local newspapers, magazines and mail to her. It was a match made in heaven. Sally explained to me weeks later that the volunteer and Mary had become fast friends and I remember thinking how lucky Mary was to have her “eyes” back, if even for just a few hours a week.
The opportunity for me to help these allowed me to meet three people that I see as heroes in my own eyes. It is an incredibly overwhelming feeling to meet someone as inspiring and strong willed as Mary.
It is instances such as this that fuel my motivation and it is the reason I planned on writing this column for many years to come.
“Four” the love of family and friends
I certainly wish that I had the strength and stamina of my Auntie Susie (Hensel) who is making a swift recovery following knee replacement surgery. Auntie Susie and I shared some time together at MacNeal recently and I am happy to report that she is just about back on her feet. None the less, please keep her in your prayers.
A very special birthday blessing goes out to Maureen Sherwood of Cicero who celebrated another year last Friday night with “the girls”. Sherwood is the hard-working executive director of the Cicero Mental Health Board, but more importantly she is a dear, sweet friend. Maureen and her daughters bring such joy and faith to my life and I am better person for knowing them.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended all the way to central Illinois where my kid brother, Nicolas Lavorato, is getting ready to open his “sandwich inspired” restaurant in Bloomington-Normal. Nicky and his partner have worked their “buns” off to get the ball rolling at Big Mouths which is set to open this month. Those kids at ISU are in for a real treat!
Lastly, I would be remise if I forgot to mention that my cousin and “compari” Anthony Biancofiori and his lovely wife, Anna celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary on November 1. The couple, who hail from Berwyn, now live in Woodridge along with their sons, Anthony and Joey.
