Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Monday, February 3, 2025

Good morning to you all.

I started my day yesterday with an early breakfast meeting with some of the Tax-Aide volunteers. I was meeting them to pass off some the leadership the items that are most difficult for me. This will allow me to keep the tasks that I can do easily from the comfort of home ( in front of the fire). One of the team members I’ve worked with for 10 years made a comment last month that weighed on my mind. He knew about my ALS, but rather than focus on my physical disability, he said to me “you’ve still got a brain”. That comment along with me wanting to complete my 10th year, and the enormous satisfaction I receive from helping so many people is why I didn’t quit the program entirely. As I sit here this morning, I think it was the right call to stay in the program. I’m glad he said that comment…it kept my focus on what’s important to me and that has always been wanting to help others.

In the early afternoon, Tim and Tom came to Crystal Lake for lunch. Cindy made grilled cheese🧀 and tomato soup🥫. My request for lunch…it’s easy and it is a reminder of childhood. We sat around and chatted for a couple of hours. It is rare for the three of us to get together and it usually is Tom that’s the odd man out. We’re going to try and get together more often while we still can. It’s now or never.

Tim has some ideas for an Andy’s Army ALS fundraiser that is trying to put together at the beginning of summer, he’s targeting the weekend after Memorial Day and location is Illinois Beach State Park. This is where we spent our summers during high school and college learning how to play frisbee, drink beer, hook up, and do much of nothing. Our parents probably saw us a bunch of reprobates. At the time…we probably were. I’m thankful this was just a transition phase as we waited for our prefrontal cortex to fully develop and end some of our stupidity. Most of us survived this period…some parents maybe not so much. Sorry Gene and Sal. Anyway…look for more on this as I learn more details.

The proceeds can help Nikki and Alex in their quest to raise money for ALS United as they gear up to run the Chicago Marathon on October 12. Nicole has a fundraising page set up if anybody is interested. Link to follow.

Have a great Wednesday.

Love you guys! ❤️