Thank You Shirley Ryan Ability Lab

By John Kass

June 7th, 2026

When I think of graduation in June, I usually think of the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling, the Victorian era guide to life that 20th Century parents once gave to their young sons instructing them on how to become resilient, responsible men:

If you can keep your head when all about you   
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
    But make allowance for their doubting too;   
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise

 

It is a most excellent poem, Kipling speaking for the culture, informing young men what is expected of them, about their obligations of citizenship and their obligations as men. But such graduation ceremonies involved the wearing itchy uncomfortable clothing we once called our Sunday best before professional football replaced church on Sunday and the price was paid by everyone having to listen to  long commencement address by some boring geezer.

My own commencement address at Shirley Ryan Ability Labs was urgent and to the point:

“Let’s hurry up before the pizza gets cold.”

And then it was done. I graduated.

Yes, I was a proud Shirley Ryan graduate, but this wasn’t my first rodeo. Three strokes for me and a great deal of work with the therapists who were kind and empathetic and never let us give. up. Unlike “Dr. Jill Biden” my wife Betty didn’t take me to a Waffle House. She took me to the hospital. Betty did everything she could to get me to Shirley Ryan, monitoring all aspects of my therapy.

There was To Shirley Ryan With Love in 2023 and then this year’s Fighting Through (Another) Stroke at Easter.

The one thing I couldn’t afford was to give up.

Because I have too much living to do.

Remember the twins? Some of  you have been reading my column since before our boys were born 30 years ago. They’ve grown into fine, strong independent men, with their own careers, one a special education teacher, and the other an electrician. They’ve found strong independent and accomplished brides, yes brides. And despite what American soccer haters say, they still love the Beautiful Game.

Who knows what will happen? We might even become grandparents someday. And with God’s blessings, I  could be walking the sidelines, working the ref arguing like some Indiana Daniel Webster that Kass kids never foul anybody. Never, ever.

Yes, I’ve had some setbacks, but I’ve been so blessed. You’re still with me after all this, my dear friends. Thank you.  I can still write, thank God. And I can still talk on the Chicago Way podcast. God has blessed me with the warrior’s heart. And I’m always seeking a foe.

As a wise old South Sider once wrote from his garden, thinking of the spears he had left to throw:

Life is a fight.

I wish that weren’t so, and that instead of fighting to live we could sit out on soft freshly-mown grass on the top of a sunny hill, nibbling cookies, sipping Coke Zero while teaching the world to sing.

But God didn’t make life like that.

Not for many of us. And certainly not for me.

Life is a desperate contest against illness, disease and against others.

We humans are contentious creatures, fighting for recourses, food, water, land, mates, and liberty.

If you’ve spent any time in with animals, or any time studying nature in the wild lands, you know this.

In closing, I’ll let you in on a secret, friends. Don’t take yourself too seriously and don’t forget to laugh at yourselves. Don’t lose your sense of humor.

As we waited for the pizza to arrive (we were in Homewood so we ordered Aurelio’s for the staff) I got on a tricycle and peddled around the parking lot humming  I am Don Quixote\ the man of  LaMancha!

I’m sure many have this dream. It isn’t impossible, not really. Is it?

(Copyright 2026 John Kass)

 

 

-30-

About the author: John Kass spent decades as a political writer and news columnist in Chicago working at a major metropolitan newspaper. He is co-host of The Chicago Way podcast. And he just loves his “No Chumbolone” hat, because johnkassnews.com is a “No Chumbolone” Zone where you can always get a cup of common sense.

Merchandise Now Available: If you’re looking for a gift for that hard-to-buy for special someone who has everything, just click on the link to the johnkassnews.com store.

Where else would you find a No Chumbolone™ cap or a Chicago Way™ coffee cup?

Because I know this about you: You’re not a Chumbolone.

Comments 24

  1. The best advice you will ever give–“Don’t take yourself too seriously and don’t forget to laugh at yourselves. Don’t lose your sense of humor.”
    Houli

    1. Yes, JK, keep up the good fight. I love reading your columns and enjoy your sense of humor. What would your readers do without you? Keep up the good fight and keep on writing!

  4. Get busy living or get busy dying. We love that you always chose to fight.

    Great column, John. Congratulations on your successful graduation. Those therapists are angels on earth.

  6. The Hoosier Zorba and Diogenes is Mr. Kass. I immediately remembered these lines by Henry Howard, Eael of Surrey:

    My friend, the things that do attain
    The happy life be these, I find:
    The riches left, not got with pain,
    The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;

    The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;
    No charge of rule nor governance;
    Without disease the healthy life;
    The household of continuance;

    The mean diet, no dainty fare;
    True wisdom joined with simpleness;
    The night discharged of all care,
    Where wine the wit may not oppress;

    The faithful wife, without debate;
    Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
    Content thyself with thine estate,
    Neither wish death, nor fear his might.

    Well done, my Friend!

  9. Great piece today, John. Well done.
    We are all proud of you and everyone (except the referees) anticipates your haranguing for your grandchildren on the sidelines!

  10. John: You look great. Shirley Ryan is the best. I’d forgotten about “If”, but it’s perfect for this moment. Thanks for reminding us. Elaine Loeser

  11. I have been a reader of your column since your days at the Southtown. Not sure how life would have been had I not had your columns to read, especially since they made sense in a world that was getting crazier by the day.

    Thank you for being a fighter and surviving through all of life’s ups and downs. And to the staff at Shirley Ryan’s Ability Lab, thank you for setting John Kass back in the right direction for all of us to get a little more grounded in the right direction.

    Last but most important, thank you to Betty for not being a “Jill” and taking good care of John so we all can still share a little more common sense reading.

  14. I’m glad you’re doing well and hope you continue to. I’ve been reading your columns since the beginning and I’m glad you still want to continue. I appreciate a big cup of common sense to start my day and I think many will agree, the world’s a better place for it. Thanks.

  15. Great column John.
    IF is a small word that punches above its weight.
    Congratulations on your graduation!
    By the way I was both surprised and delighted to see the WSJ editorial column yesterday commenting on your role in exposing the ISBA and the rights of a private citizen to opine before volunteering to go back in the bench only to be summarily removed.
    A JK cup of common sense cannot be spread to far….
    Keep on keeping……PV

  17. We’re blessed that you have a warrior’s heart & have kept fighting, because that means we can sleep reading your words of wisdom & truth. I admit I felt my age when reading how old your boys are. I remember reading your columns before the arrived! I pray your wish for grandchildren to coach & teach to fish comes to pass. Congrats on your graduation. God speed, John Kass!

  19. Good job old Don Quixote channeling your Broadway inner Richard Kiley who was best with the Impossible Dream but it beats a nursing home so yes,peddle or shuffle on and don’t forget the Obama Shrine opens shortly so I expect an essay about how bad Healthcare reform and expensive plans should condemn him to a cloud someday not with Michelle but Mitch McConnell. GO DA BEARS IN THE FALL and Salute to wifey who still loves you….

Leave a Reply