Libertyville news

You may or may not remember the piece I posted on Connie Kowal from a few weeks ago, but either way you ought to read this Barry Rozner column from the Daily Herald. A sample:

He has more energy than any 10 people you know, and he’s the go-to guy for those feeling down, ready with a smile and a handshake for friend or foe, stranger or relation.

But even Kowal can succumb to human frailty, especially this time of year when he smiles through the worst pain a person can suffer, the loss of a child. It bubbles to the surface and the swells of grief wash over him like a tidal wave.

This will be his fourth Christmas without daughter Lauren, and Kowal will spend a great deal of time with wife, Sally, and son, K.C., remembering why there is an empty chair at the table.

That’s the easy part, because the memory is never far away. Kowal can feel so alone, and yet he has a constant companion, the sorrow deep in his belly, which rarely betrays him.

"As a family, everything revolves around your kids this time of year, and Christmas was her favorite holiday," Kowal says, stopping to sob and apologizing for the interruption. "Holidays are special. We still love them, but they are incredibly tough for us.

"You want to be with the people you love, right? Lauren was the love of my life."

Kowal breaks down again, showing the side few witness.

Knowing this family, the story still breaks my heart. Rozner does a good job telling it, and things like Connie's message are worth thinking about this time of year.

So what are you waiting for? Read the column already.