me n' betty.

I walk into an Oak Lawn steakhouse last week, where I met up with Michael Sneed, one of my all-time favorite reporters, who was sitting down with Betty Loren-Maltese at a high wooden booth.

Yep. That Betty.

Betty looks at me, smiles, and says, "You look familiar. Have I met you before?

"Were you in prison?"

We both start laughing... not nervous giggles, but big genuine laughter and I am immediately at ease.

I tell her I didn't meet her in prison, but I did chase her down at the courthouse a few times.

For the next hour and a half, I sit as Mike asks questions, Betty answers, and I listen. And laugh. A lot.

Along with being a convicted felon and a former Federal prisoner, she is a real person. Her stories are sincere, highly entertaining and give a real look into what life's been like for the past eight years.

You can read Mike's stories here.

She does a much better job than I ever could at providing insight into this complex public figure.

I don't live in Cicero, and never have. All I knew of Betty is what I have read.

But I now know she has pretty much experienced a hell that she may or may not have deserved. She's a devoted mom, and has a wonderful sense of humor.

She's real, like it or not.

She looks good, and like many other women I know, she's trying to put her life back together to resemble "normal."

The interview was fascinating. During it, I tried to capture her personality in the few minutes of shooting I was able to have. I think it worked.

I am aligned.

That is according to Dr. Kickass.

He told me that a few weeks ago.

I believe him.

After a several long, and sometimes painful and frightening weeks where I just wasn't totally sure I would ever feel right again, I feel really great.

I am energized. I am confident. I am healthy. And it feels that way inside and out.

The weather has had everything to do with it. It is easy to face a day when you are greeted by the 6AM chorus resting in trees that are on the verge of turning pink, white and red for the spring.

One by one, my doctors have said, "See you later, alligator." Or at least, "I don't need to see you for a year."

I had a lot of time to practice gratitude when I was home watching Oprah and The View and contemplating my next moves in life.

Once I was ready to head back to reality, I was truly ready.

I've had quite an amazing six weeks post-sick time.

An aardvark CT. Two massively huge front pages. A walk with Jesus. An invitation for cocktails from Betty Loren Maltese. The fans at the Sox opener.

Life doesn't get any better.

And in the center of it all, the Easter season. A time of renewal and hope and an assurance that life indeed is not meant to be handled alone.

I could say it's a coincidence that so many pieces are falling back into place for me.

But I know differently.

His plan is infinitely more exquisite and exciting than I could ever imagine.

And I am good to go.