Saturday, February 1, 2025

Monday, February 3, 2025

Good morning, everybody! Welcome to a new month—I’m already thinking spring.

I’ve been mulling over the idea of creating a blog. Currently, 23 people are on the daily journal list I started on August 21, 2024—just eight days after my diagnosis. I’m genuinely humbled that so many of you still read my morning ramblings. I’ve even had some tell me I’m a good writer, which must make my high school English teacher, Mrs. Cary, roll over in her grave laughing out loud. I’ll admit, I wasn’t exactly her star pupil back in the day!

There are a few reasons why a blog or website makes sense right now:

First, countless people continue to ask how I’m doing, and Cindy ends up fielding most of those questions. She already has enough on her plate as my caregiver, so I want to ease that burden if I can. (I’m certainly not doing much else on the home front!)

Second, there are others to whom I’ve forwarded specific journal entries every now and then, and they’ve asked me to start a blog. I could keep adding more text groups—I’m up to three right now and it’s manageable—but it just makes sense to offer this to more people in one central place.

And then there’s the opportunity to raise funds for ALS. With the Chicago Marathon coming up and Nicole, Alex, Meghan, and maybe even Amelia running, they’re trying to raise money for ALS.

Alex is busy creating some impressive items with his new laser (yes, after just one week of tinkering!). I’ll post a couple of photos of his work—he’s got so many ideas that he might need to find extra time in his day.

Brother Tim has even set a date for a celebration and remembrance at Illinois Beach State Park on May 31. He wants to bring people together for fun and fundraising.

There’s fundraising magic happening all around me, and I’m fortunate to have so many people behind me. However, these fundraisers are going to be successful, it has to be done without causing donation fatigue. That means I’ll need to reach a broader audience with my story, in turn helping all those who are supporting me.

I love everything happening behind the scenes, but I must admit it’s a little intimidating to think we might fall flat on our faces.

I’m also a bit nervous about going the full internet route. Privacy is my top priority—I don’t plan to change what I have to say, but I want to ensure I’m not breaching anyone’s privacy and trust. Plus, with the usual parade of mean and hateful internet trolls lurking in the background…well, I’d rather not give them a public stage for spam and hurtful comments.

So that’s my thought for this morning. I do have more to say, but I’ll save it for tomorrow.

Thank you all so much. You inspire me to get up and write each day, and I’m humbled that you read my ramblings. I promise to try and keep things interesting, enlightening, funny, and—most importantly—honest about how I’m doing, because that’s what started this whole journaling adventure.

Love you guys! ❤️