Excerpt of Vern Mikkelsen's biography

The book you're holding in your hands is the story of my life and career. But there is little greatness to be found in throwing a ball through a hoop.

I was a good basketball player, but I attribute greatness to those individuals who sacrifice their time, talents, and efforts for the benefit of others. I did some of that, too, though not nearly as much as I would have liked to, looking back on it.

All the same, I very much appreciate the admiration and honor I continue to receive half a century after retiring from the sport I still enjoy watching, and enjoyed playing competitively over a 20-year span of time. Entertaining and inspiring people also contributes to the quality of their lives, I guess.

I am blessed to have lived a long life with some interesting highlights along the way. A few of those highlights have been gathered here. Most of them concern my days with the Minneapolis Lakers.

The stories have been organized and put into narrative form by the author, my friend John Egan. But I'd like to say a few words about how the stories got recorded in the first place.

Sometime before my wife died in 2002, I suffered a severe stroke. The unfamiliar environment in which my body and mind found themselves was one where I could still think thoughts, but couldn't speak them or write them out.

My doctor made it known almost immediately that the most important component of my recovery would be my attitude toward the work required to regain my speech habits. Sure, medication would help, but the doctor made it clear that it would largely be up to me, supported by my faith in God, to work as hard as I could if I wanted to make my remaining years good ones.

When I attempted to communicate with him using a clumsy movement of my hand that I wanted to write -- I couldn't even write my own name at that point -- he encouraged me that writing would help, though he suggested doing crosswords and other mind-motor exercises as a start. I wanted to do more.

What ensued was a challenge I embraced and actually began looking forward to every day. I started writing down simple memorable experiences from my life -- the ones that brought the most joy. Next thing I knew I had graduated from learning how to write my name again to filling up a pile of yellow legal pads with memories and anecdotes from 75 years of my life.

As my newfound desire for writing continued and my stroke symptoms dissipated, my string of health-related challenges grew. But they were no longer nearly as daunting, now that the writing had given me something to look forward to every day -- and I might say, to live for. Even if my notes were never read by anyone, it didn't matter -- the writing was healing and provided peace of mind.

It wasn't until my two sons Tom and John encouraged me to publish my notes that I ever considered the possibility. It simply wasn't my intention.

Having weathered two botched hip replacements, prostate cancer, diabetes, hearing loss, two strokes, and the loss of sight in one eye, I now live thankfully day to day. Whew! What a disheartening roster to claim as your own!

I share the details of my recent health issues not for sympathy but to inspire those suffering mentally or physically not to lose hope. Keep on doing your best with what you have to work with, as we all have an obligation to take care of ourselves and live as long as possible, respecting each day as a great gift with the intention of sharing the simple, meaningful things of life with family, friends and our community.

I encourage you to find something you love to do and commit to doing that thing every day. Find the thing that brings joy -- to you and to others -- and get at it! "It's not how much you do, but how much Love you put into the doing, that matters."

My son John has recently come back from Los Angeles to stay with me, and we remind each other every day how grateful we are "to have received another one," -- another day that is. So very many did not wake up this morning, be grateful you have.

I believe that had I not suffered a stroke I might never have experienced this wonderful, unforeseen process of developing the material for a book. My stroke, ironically, gave me something to live for. We truly can turn an adversity into a positive experience if we so choose -- I'm living proof.

Thank you for picking up my story, I hope you enjoy reading the memoirs of a small town kid who was so very fortunate to be taught by his parents that friends, family and faith are the three most important things in life -- and to treat them as such.