In honor of ‘Clean Out Your Inbox’ week

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Trolling for column ideas a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that National Clean Out Your Inbox Week was coming up in January. So, it occurred to me that, for purposes of this column, I haven’t done that in a while. So here goes …

I almost missed this one. Tammy and George Bilsen of Whiting are celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary on Jan. 25. Why, you might ask, should we consider this a landmark anniversary?

“The day after we celebrated our 30th anniversary in 1999, George was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” Tammy recalled. “That shook us to our core.”

Like most married couples, the Bilsen’s dream included playing with their grandchildren and growing old together. “According to the doctors, that most likely wasn’t going to happen,” she said. “The prognosis wasn’t good.”

Holding on to their faith and refusing to settle for a death sentence, the couple set out to find medical professionals who could inspire them to dare to hope.

“We found doctors in Texas who believed, as we did, in treating body, mind and spirit, not an approach many took at that time,” Tammy continued. “We got past the first 12 months, then the two-year mark, which the original doctor said George would never see. That became five, ten years.”

Which is why the Bilsens now consider every subsequent year a landmark wedding anniversary.

“As George says, life is a gift and it’s never over until it’s over,” Tammy said. “That’s what we live by now.”

From Morgan Santos, 10,
Highland: “How did (your dog) Issy the Terrible do over Christmas and what was her favorite present?”

Issy had the time of her life during the holidays. She was certain all our guests came to see her and tell her how smart and beautiful she is. Remarkably, she didn’t destroy the Christmas tree, nor any of the other decorations … except for that one unfortunate incident with my handmade stuffed snowwoman. Trust me, it was ugly.

In terms of presents, treats took center stage. She found
one box of peanut butter and blueberry cookies rather tasty, along with a big bag of mixed grill chews. In terms of toys, Issy’s still sleeping with her stuffed polar bear, which she named Blanca.

On the random acts of kindness front: Fifteen-year-old Keely Bertowski, Hammond, was having lunch with several of her friends at a local restaurant over Christmas break.

“We weren’t being rude but we got to laughing and it was pretty loud,” Keely said.

When the group went to
pay their bill, the hostess told them the older couple who had sat nearby paid and said lunch was on them, noting how nice it was to listen to young people having fun.

“That was totally amazing,” Keely said. “I wish we could have thanked them.”

Finally, Stanley Montgomery wanted to pass along this message for the New Year: “Don’t let your New Year’s resolutions go in one year and out the other.”

I don’t think that quote is an original but the thought is worth mentioning, Stan!