Friday, July 4, 2025 – Day 325

Friday, July 4, 2025

Good morning.
Happy 4th of July! 🎆🎇🧨

The 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays. The weather is usually perfect, and if you can stay up late enough, the firework shows are well worth the wait…with plenty of chances to “ooh” and “ahh” along the way.

We probably would’ve gone up to Fence Lake this weekend if it weren’t for the setbacks from the feeding tube surgery. There’s just something about sitting on the pier, watching some of the best firework displays money can buy. Every year, there are multiple nights when we look across the bay and see bursts of color lighting up the sky. Technically, they’re “private shows,” but nothing about them feels private once they’re booming overhead. I’m always grateful there are people willing (and able) to put on a display like that for all of us to enjoy. Lis, I hope the sky doesn’t disappoint this year.

Yesterday, we went to Lakeside Fest with Barb and Mark. I brought my power wheelchair, which made it easier to get around. It was a classic summer day…full sun and highs in the 80s. Most of the festival grounds are grassy and shaded by trees, so we found a cool spot to sit, sip a beer, and enjoy the band without baking in the heat. Honestly, it was surprisingly comfortable. I did get stuck a couple of times in the grass…just a small issue, but worth noting. When the wheels spin out, I can still use my legs to push myself free. That won’t always be the case, so for now I’m counting it as a minor nuisance. Down the road, it could be a real obstacle. We’re keeping an eye on all of that.

Everywhere we go now, I’m more aware of how I get around. Each week, my limitations whisper a little louder, reminding me that ALS is still steadily stealing pieces of my independence. The changes are subtle… until suddenly, I realize I can’t do something anymore…can’t do it well, or can’t do it safely. So I’m trying to stay present and pay attention to what’s shifting.

I asked Cindy if she wanted to recreate our engagement from 20 years ago. She wisely declined. If I’d dropped to one knee, we would’ve needed at least two people and a pulley system to get me back up. And I didn’t even have a Blow Pop candy ring to offer…so yeah, skipping the reenactment was probably the right call.

Instead, we kicked back, did a little people-watching, and listened to a band playing mostly tropical rock—lots of Jimmy Buffett. Not a bad way to spend a summer afternoon.

We were home by 3:30, and I was wiped out (the beer didn’t hurt). I’ve got one big outing in me per day, and the fest was it. About an hour later, Cindy was out the door again—off to dinner with the Balasi crew at her favorite pizza place, Georgio’s. Then she swung by her cousins’ big family get-together here in town. When it comes to family, Cindy never misses a chance to join the party. She has a wonderful relationship with her cousins, and I love how close they all are. It’s always great to see her surrounded by people she loves.

I’m posting photos from one of our memorable 4th of July parties at Fence Lake…hope they inspire you to have a great weekend.

Have a great 4th! 🇺🇸
Love you guys! ❤️