Rich KazlauskyWhile growing up in a small town in Northern Illinois, I spent my childhood as any normal young boy, riding bikes, fishing, building forts or playing organized sports. As I grew older, those sports became more competitive and demanding. I played footall, basketball and baseball all four years in high school and received my share of rewards. As to this day, I still have my scrapbook reflecting those accomplishments during the 1960s and 70s. My dream was someday playing baseball in the Major Leagues. Unfortunately, my father, who had connections in the baseball world, passed away while I was still in high school and so did my dream. My career began throwing mail instead of baseballs. I worked for the Post Office delivering mail out of the McHenry office and retired in 2009, after 30 years of service. While working out of that office, I met my wife, Jan. In 1985, we married and we were amazingly blessed with two outstanding daughters, Jenna and Kellye. We were extremely proud parents growing with our children, getting involved with their schooling and interests, gymnastics, softball, horse riding lessons, not to mention numerous pets. Such remembered precious times. Once I retired from the Post Office, I had so much free time, what was I going to do? My golf game got enjoyable, but I was still antsy. I was just sitting around the house looking for something to do. Then, a dare from my wife, what about writing a book? A book!! Who, among my family, old classmates and friends would have ever thought that I could be an author. But I did it. You see, during my life, we've all heard the old saying, "Everyone has a hidden talent." It's finding that talent within yourself and pursuing it that makes you feel you've accomplished that talent. I know I've done that. Now, I live with my wife in Manteno. Illinois. The girls are grown up now, married and have their own careers to fulfill. In our spare time (plenty of that), we enjoy going out to dinner with the kids, working in the yard or even, even being patient with my wife's golf game. A simple life? Maybe. Possibly another book? Who knows, that could happen. While still working on publishing my book, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April of 2018. It was devastating news to me and to my loved ones, but you have to accept it and fight back. The big "C" is familiar within our family. My grandmother and grandfather both died from leukemia, my youngest sister died of breast cancer, my niece passed with the same cancer I'm fighting and my brother-in-law left us with colon cancer. Having seen these people suffer, pain, agony, the mental suffering, now I understand what they went through and I feel for them. So, together with my family, we've decided to donate a percentage of my profits to the Danny Thomas Research Center for children. Someday, we will conquer this dreadful disease. At this time, let me thank you for purchasing my book and hope you enjoyed the story. If you did, I would appreciate passing it on to your friends and any feedback, either positive or negative, is welcomed. You can post your comments at rkazbooks.com. Thank you, again. Read More Read Less