Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Day 523

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Good morning, everyone.

Growing up, most of us had a best friend at some point in childhood. That one person who lived a block or two away, close enough that you could just show up. Back in the ’60s and ’70s there were no arranged playdates, no calendars to coordinate. Your parents simply nudged you out the door and told you to get out from underfoot. Friendship took care of itself.

Cindy had that kind of best friend. Her name was Lucy.

They were inseparable growing up—joined at the hip—and that childhood bond grew into a deep, lifelong friendship. After high school, they went their separate ways geographically, but the friendship never wavered. They talked every single day. When I first met Cindy, I quickly learned that there would be an early-morning phone call—an hour long—between Cindy and Lucy. And by God, they did talk every morning. Without fail.

Early in our relationship, we drove to Rockford, Michigan, where Lucy lived, and stayed at her house for a long weekend. Just the three of us. I was on my absolute best behavior, because I knew if I blew that “interview,” my relationship with Cindy might be short-lived. At some point—maybe not even that weekend—Lucy pulled me aside and said, “If you ever hurt Cindy, I’m going to ________ you.”
You can fill in any destructive verb you want. I believed her.

Sadly, only a few years later, Lucy passed away at 55, taken by pancreatic cancer. It’s a loss Cindy will never fully recover from. I see it every January, when Cindy’s birthday arrives—one day after Lucy’s.

Lucy had two children, Tara and Jake. Tara is married and has two boys. Jake, who never married, passed away in 2025, leaving behind a daughter. From the very beginning, Cindy stayed connected to both kids…sometimes in person, sometimes by phone. She remained part of their lives.

After Lucy’s death, Cindy and Tara grew even closer, buoyed by the shared loss of a mom and a best friend. Jake went a different direction and eventually drifted out of Cindy’s life. But the connection Cindy and Tara formed has held…rooted in love for Lucy and strengthened by time.

Tara came into Crystal Lake this weekend to visit. She’s been trying to get here ever since my ALS diagnosis, but 2025 was full and hectic, and the timing never worked out. This weekend did. It felt right—to celebrate Lucy and Cindy’s birthdays together. It was a short visit, filled with a few tears, lots of laughter, and good, meaningful conversations.

Thank you for making the trip to Crystal Lake, Tara. It meant a great deal to both of us. Cindy shared something you said to her afterward: “Talking to him was like talking to the old Andy.”

That was incredibly kind. I don’t always feel like the old Andy—but that comment put a big smile 😃 on my face.

Have a great Sunday. Go Bears 🐻 Love you guys! ❤️