Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Day 267

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Good morning, friends, family, and others following along.

Go ahead and circle Monday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. CST on your calendar. Our family will be featured in a one-hour livestream called Season’s Sunflower Hour, where we’ll talk about how ALS has affected us—and what we’ve done to keep moving forward through the ongoing challenges. I wish every one of you could be directly included in the show, because you’ve all been walking this path alongside us. The reach of this disease is wide, and your love, support, and solidarity have carried us through. You are Andy’s Army, and together, we’re doing something that matters.

One thing that worries me about this livestream? Managing my emotions. Like my mom, who couldn’t make it through the dinner blessing without tearing up and tapping someone on the shoulder to finish, I’ll probably crack on the first question. Many of you have witnessed these moments firsthand—they just happen. So, this could be a challenge for the host… though I don’t think I’ll warn her. Good thing I’m bringing reinforcements—just in case.

Bracelet update: Cindy and the Bracelet Brigade have been working hard, and we’re down to fewer than ten in the backlog. I’d love to say I’ve been helping with assembly, but let’s just say I’m the poster boy for “all thumbs.” So for now, I’ll stick with being head of sales and thank all of you who’ve been fervently working and patiently waiting—we’re getting there.

Yesterday, I was proud to deposit bracelet proceeds of $1,000 into ALS United under Alex Snarski’s name. He’s running the Chicago Marathon for Andy’s Army, along with his sister Nicole B. (the team captain) and others. The bracelet idea actually came from his fiancée, Nicole A., who really got it off the ground. Huge thanks to Nicole—and to all of you—for believing in this mission, supporting it, and walking beside us.

This morning, I checked the ALS United website and was wowed by the total contributions to the Andy’s Army team—over $20,000 raised in my honor. I’m completely humbled by the overwhelming support. Who would’ve thought this could happen? Not me. I’m so proud of this team, and I just have to keep saying it: thank you… thank you… thank you.

Back home: we’re out of homemade bacon—probably the first time in 15 years this has happened. I’ve always kept a stockpile so I’d have some on hand to give away. If you’ve never had a sample, I’m sorry—I’ll work on that. This is another casualty of my “all thumbs” problem. So, I’ve asked Cindy to help out. Step one—getting the pork belly into the brine—happened yesterday. I’m not sure she loved that part. She mumbled something about converting to vegetarianism, veganism, or pescatarianism. I’m fine with any of those—as long as she’s still willing to help me make the bacon. On Friday, she’ll get her first crack at smoking it. Can’t wait… I’m salivating just thinking about it.

Have a great Wednesday.

Love you guys! ❤️