Isn't it funny how things sometimes work out?

Or don't?

This is the week I've been anticipating for a few months, since I was asked to write a 184-page book on Jim Sheppard, the long-time public address voice at home University of Illinois football and men's basketball games.

This is the week the book gets released, the week I get to see an actual copy of all the words I put together some months ago and how they fit in with the many pictures of Sheppard.

This is the week we can start looking forward to the signing sessions orchestrated by Walter Pierce, from The News-Gazette circulation department, the ones where Sheppard or myself -- or perhaps both of us -- will autograph copies of the book.

This started out as an exciting week, full of hope and joy.

Something happened.

On Monday, I accompanied my father on a doctor's appointment. We hadn't been in the office much more than 30 minutes when I was informed by the doctor that an ambulance was on its way for him.

My father is now in a hospital, trying to rid his body of blood clots in his lungs and legs, and the anticipation and enthusiasm I had about seeing the finished product of "Are You Ready?" is diminished.

This is another of life's illustrations that there are no givens and we should always expect the unexpected. That much, you can assuredly count on.

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