Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Monday, February 3, 2025
Happy New Year’s Eve
I was reflecting on 2024 yesterday thinking about all the great memories we have made this year and there were so many (see note to follow). The ALS diagnosis has cast a long dark shadow in my life and yours. It hasn’t killed my spirit although there are days where it isn’t as bright. Still, I look at what life has brought me and it is so full of positives that the light does shine through the darkness.
I am looking to 2025 and some of what’s looming in front of us is frightening. There will be more good memories to come so I’ll keep my focus on the positives and with some luck, courage, support and all the love from you…this too will be a great year.
I have a bigger support group than I ever realized and that has been an eye-opener. I’m so grateful that there seem to be endless people reaching out to offer help. I feel like I’m living the life of George Bailey who was reminded by Clarence the Angel. “Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.”
Yesterday, Cindy received the following text from a friend:
“We drove by your house earlier and saw the tree of lightsâ- thank you for the continued joy that brings my little family. Emily said âLook! Itâs âCandysâ tree!!!â Thatâs your couple name - Cindy and Andy = Candyâ¤ď¸”
People really do enjoy “Candy’s tree!”
With that I want to say thank you from a heart that is overflowing with love. Wishing you a happy new year. We will raise a glass and toast all of you. đĽLove you guys!â¤ď¸
Reflections 2024
Jan Driving trip with Bear to Virginia to see kids and celebrate Cindyâs birthday.đÂ
Feb Begin my 9th year preparing free tax returns for Tax-Aide through April.
Bill in town for the auto show and for the first time that I can recall, all five brothers met up for lunch. We need to do that again.
Mar Nicole on a business trip and Zack out west skiing so I was enlisted to watch the grandkids with help from Kim and Kevin. It was the last time that Coco would let me hold her.
Apr A visit to historic Charleston, SC then off to The Masters with Nicole and Zack for the Monday practice round. First time and maybe the last where we went into a gift shop and I told Cindy, âdonât bother looking at prices, if you like it then put it in the basket.â
On our drive home, we stopped in Casey, IL to see many of the worldâs largest objects. Highlight was the worldâs largest rocking chair and worldâs largest mailbox where the USPS picks up outgoing mail đŤâď¸
May Baltic đ˘ This was a great trip and a first-time cruise for us. âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Jun 65th triplet birthday on Fence lake. Maria made shirts for the three of us that had photos of us when we were 5 years old (or close to 5)
Jul Geoff and Kristinâs wedding in Chicago. It was a beautiful weekend of dancing, happiness, and celebration.
Aug A vacation (Olympic theme) on Fence with kids in early August (including the Wonnenbergs) that is becoming an annual event. Lis and Steve have been great hosts.
August 9, having trouble walking and talking while at a brewery so Cindy suggested a visit to the ER in Woodruff. Ruled out stroke and brain tumor, but still no diagnosis as to what was causing my symptoms.
August 12, back to ER in park ridge to find out whatâs causing a disturbance in my gait and speech
August 13, ALS diagnosis âšď¸
August 15, Nicole and Alex came out to Crystal Lake to celebrate my actual 65th birthday. It was a day of celebration and tears.
August 27, beginning of 10 straight weeks of golf with family and friends, ending Oct 30.
Sep Sep 4 was my last follow-up visit with Dr. Bilimoria who removed a cancerous tumor from my left leg on September 12, 2019. This marks five years cancer free.
5k race in Huntley. Finishing time 1:12:12. đłđą Slowest 5k race Iâve ever had, but I finished. This will be my last race. đ˘
A trip east to see the kids, cousin Mark Olson, celebrate Dave Wonnenbergâs 50th birthday and a visit to Johns Hopkins.
September 23, ALS diagnosis confirmed at Johns Hopkins âšď¸âšď¸
A quick trip to Nevada, Arizona and Utah to see a few National Parks. Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon đ was the highlight of many highlights.
Oct The start of my beard growth.
A weekend of celebration as Alex is inducted into the Libertyville H.S. hall of fame. A huge accomplishment for Alex and a very proud moment for parents and step-parents. October 10, I become a patient of ALS United and have my first appointment. The people involved in the clinic are very compassionate and it brightens the day. My ALS diagnosis is reconfirmed by a 3rd neurologist. âšď¸ Itâs disappointing to hear, but it doesnât shock me like the first two diagnoses.
Alex gifted me a cane with a beautiful bronze eagle, that he made, on the top. It will be treasured forever.
Trip to Ball Ground, GA to meet with NIU roommates for 3 nights of fun and celebrating âFriends ForeverâÂ
Wedding in Milwaukee to celebrate the union of Sally Snarski and Meghan Perkins. I receive title of âSexiest Manâ from a complete stranger (a man) at the reception. It was Alexâs eagle cane that clinched it for me.
Nov Alex and Nicole A. came out to Crystal Lake to help me put up Christmas decorations. The Christmas light tree was the most important for me to get setup.
Thanksgiving in Virginia with kids. This was a great day, one because we were all together and two because we have so much to be grateful for. Thanks Zack for suggesting we go east for this holiday and a thank you to the Bissells for the use or their home. Lis set a beautiful table.
Dec 10 days in St Maarten mid December for a great Caribbean vacation hosted by the Brickhouses. It was a fabulous vacation and it gave us a chance to spend lots of time with Wyatt and Coco. By the end of the trip, Wyatt was swimming like a fish and Coco warmed up to us.
Following our return from vacation, we met up with a dozen of my close high school friends. It has been too long of a gap seeing these friends and weâre going to try and get together more often in 2025.Â
Quiet Christmas this year. No parties, a small family Christmas Eve dinner at our house along with Mark, Barb, and Alex.
Larger group coming over for an early New Yearâs Eve dinner to our house for homemade spaghetti and meatballs. A tradition we started some years ago. It is a favorite of mine.
This list doesnât even touch how many of the other memories we are making on a daily basis with family and friends. We have truly had a memorable year.