Gratitude…

This week I’m writing with gratitude, thanks, to all those who read my stories each week. I started this blog to reach out to those suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease and the horrible prognosis that comes with it. Hoping to just bring a little light into such a dark place. It’s turned into so much more.

In the beginning, I didn’t know what a PALS (patient with ALS) or CALS (caregiver for patient with ALS) was. Now I’m in contact with both on a daily basis. They have educated me that PALS and CALS go hand in hand and suffer through this disease together. I’ve also been reacquainted with many old friends who may be suffering from other terminal illnesses and found that we can lean on each other. And finally, I’ve found that you all care about Amy, the people I write about, and even me. So, the rest of this blog is to say Thank You to all.

The feature image this week was created by the art teacher at my school, North Star Classical Christian. Her name is Karen Schwan and she originally painted it for the founders of the school as they set out trying to move the mountain of obstacles they encountered to start, run and continue building a successful organization. When I decided to announce my diagnosis to the staff, unbeknownst to me, Karen recreated the painting and presented it as a token of their support for me. This all occurred at our weekly staff meeting and the amount of love, support, and prayers that were poured down on me that day was overwhelming. It continues to fuel me on a daily basis.

You can find out more about Karen and her work on her Etsy site.

Touching others in a positive way has become the focus of most of my days. Last Friday I finished a book that had me bawling my eyes out, showing me that I could do so much more. I’ve been an avid reader from a very young age. It all started when mom got me the monthly subscription to Readers Digest, which led to Readers Digest condensed books, which led to me buying hundreds of books. When the local Barnes & Noble had their going out of business sale, all the hardbacks were priced at $5.00 (I filled up two shopping carts each trip…and made four trips). I now have thousands of books in the house and call them my “trophies.” What will probably be one of my last big projects is to build a custom bookcase to house them all.

So, back to “the book.” I came across it on a must-read post. I thought it was a newly published work but as I’ve learned through telling many people about this “new” book, it was actually written over a decade ago. No matter, it’s still a great read that I highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read and make a difference in the world.

That same day, as I was drying my eyes after finishing the book, I walked to the mailbox to get myself together. There I found a large manila envelope addressed to me. Inside I found two beautiful drawings and a full page note explaining their origin. You’ll recall a couple of weeks ago I wrote about “Paul” and his battle with ALS. “Paul’s” daughters, ages 3 and 6, also read my blog, thanks to their awesome mom. They read about Rye’s passing and proceeded to draw these two pictures for me and told me a story about their dog, Bubba, that they lost not too long ago. Well, then I was blubbering all over again! (I’m just glad I get to write this and you don’t have to see it.) They assured me that Rye and Bubba have united in heaven and are up there having a ball. Well, girls, I couldn’t agree more. Thank you!

Because I can’t go a week without telling a story about Amy and me, here is this week’s tale…

February of 2024 I got a long-awaited phone call from our favorite Ford dealer (and good friend). He told me that my new truck, which was special ordered two years previously as my “retirement truck,” had finally come in. As I walked into Amy’s office to tell her the news, it became very apparent that we had completely opposite reactions. She was over the moon excited and couldn’t wait to pick it up. I, on the other hand, was very sad, thinking we shouldn’t take it because who knew how long I’d even be able to enjoy it.

On this day she quickly set me straight, using my own words against me. She firmly reminded me: That’s not the way we think. We are living for today. It’s the best defeat I’ve ever experienced. The truck is an absolutely awesome F350 King Ranch with a Tremor package that has almost 28,000 miles on it from two long road trips with many more to come. Here’s the truck on the day we picked it up. The high that day was 7 degrees.

Did I mention that the General Manager that gave me the call is named Jack Daniels and the owner of the dealership is John Hennessy? I know, you’re thinking…. well, what other dealership would a former bar owner go to. As it turns out, Amy’s relationship with the Hennessy family began before I met her and I was just blessed enough to come along and be introduced to two of the finest men I know. Over the last 20+ years, we’ve purchased close to a dozen new vehicles from them and are happy to drive over an hour to have them serviced at River View Ford because they are, by far, the best dealership I’ve ever delt with. And I’ve had a lot of cars, trucks, Jeeps, bikes… In addition, when we picked up the truck, we told them about my diagnosis. The love, care, and prayers that have come from them is invaluable. For all of this I say, Thank You to John, Jack, your entire team, and your families.

The idea for this week’s blog came to me in my weekly sauna therapy, which I hate but endure. I often pass the time counting my blessings. This can easily fill the hour-long session, so this week I attempted to write down a portion of what I’m thankful for. Those scribbles covered page after page and I was continuously thinking of things I hadn’t included. To cover the smallest fraction of those in this blog would test your battery life far beyond it’s limits. Instead you’ve been able to read a couple of stories.

As I wrap up this week’s thoughts I want to give a very broad, heartfelt Thank You to all of you who read my ramblings, send prayers, reach out, care for Amy and me, and have helped create so many of the tales that I recreate here.

A quote I came across this week defining a best friend can apply to so many of you. While there is only one KP, so many of you have blessed my life in so many ways. Thank You.

“A good friend knows all of your stories, a best friend helped you create them.”

With so much more to write but so little time to do it (not to mention I’d kind of like you to come back next week), I’m going to end this week’s post with what’s going on with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Nothing much to say that the images below don’t cover. May is ALS Awareness Month. You’re reading this so you are aware. Thank You.

Lou Gehrig Day for Major League Baseball is June 2nd. All of the MLB teams are celebrating, but on different days. For those who don’t know it, I highly recommend his story. In the clip I’ve included below you’ll hear Lou himself addressing the crowd at Yankee Stadium claiming to be the luckiest man alive. All I can say is Thank You, Lou, for showing me how to do it. I’m doing my best to fill those Luckiest Man Shoes.

And finally, I heard this song today on the way to school and it just made me feel good. I’m sharing it now to say Thank You for all of you who have made it to the end of this week’s long-winded essay, hoping it does the same for you.

Have a great weekend and you’ll hear from me again next Friday.

God bless.

Coach