The Comeback Tour 2026

 

If any of you didn't know, it was my birthday on Friday. Well, actually it was my re-birthday. It's been a full year since stem cell transplant. It's a little surreal to be honest. Thinking back, it really does feel like much longer, and I hope that's kind of a good thing. It means life has returned to 'normal' so much I've almost already put it to the back of my mind. 

It's pretty crazy to look back at photos over the last year, seeing a bald head back in March/April, it just seems so far away, but I've had a lot happen this year. Between trying to get my strength back, get back to a full work schedule and just live life, it's been a rollercoaster for sure. 

I've watched both my amazing children grow up a lot. Grace medaled at state for the first time this past summer, she tried a new sport and is becoming a beautiful young woman with an amazing singing voice. Listening to her sing is definitely one of my favorite things. 

Rory's done a ton of growing up as well. He continues to love soccer and gets better every season. He's also trying his hand at a new sport in bowling, something thrilled me, as I was a bowler until life just go too busy about a decade ago. Now that he's back into it, I've renewed my love for it, got a ball and I'm looking forward to a lot of time at the alley with him. I love seeing his curiosity for really nerdy things, just like me. Right now him and I are learning to 3d print, thanks to his 3d printer gift from Munga & Papa (gma & gpa). 

I wouldn't have been able to do any of this over the past year without Stephanie, though. She's been the rock for this family that we all needed. She always keeps us moving forward even when we feel like we're stuck. It can't be easy. Her long hours at work and dedication to all three of us is something that impresses me every day, even if I don't say it to her directly. She's the honeybee popping out of the cereal box in the morning, even when I'm a crank. 

But there are so many other people to thank for their help and support over the past year. Between gifts, prayers, thoughts, well wishes, jokes, long phone calls, visits and everything in between, I hesitate to name any particular person for fear I'd leave someone else out important. Because we're truly blessed with a lot of people in our lives and support from our community. 

To make this year even harder, as most of you know, I lost my mom. Something I knew was coming, but nothing that can prepare you for. I'd be lying if I said life wasn't a major challenge over the last two years, but this past year was the most difficult. Trying to travel back as much as I could to be there for my parents, running a very busy work life, kids events and just every day life, makes it hard. Truthfully, I think it all finally caught up with me a couple weeks ago and I've been in a funk for the past couple weeks. 

Thankfully this weekend pulled me out a lot. One of the things I've really missed is an annual guys weekend I do with some of my close friends from college. It's an annual beer share weekend. We all get together, share craft beer and just hang out while we watch football. I've missed the past two. The first year I was sick and didn't know why, very soon finding out I had cancer. Last year was the stem cell year, but was able to return this year, thankfully. It was some of the best medicine I could have. Laughing and forgetting about everything for a bit was exactly what I needed and is a reminder of how lucky I am to have such a great group of friends. The only downside was the guys that couldn't make it this year for whatever reasons. 

I was able to finish off the weekend enjoying some of my absolute favorite craft beers because of these guys, watching the Bears unfortunately come up short last night, but there's no complaints. That was quite a ride this year. 

If you were able to make it to the end of this, thank you for reading and thank you for the support over the past year. Like the Bears, it's been one hell of a ride and here's to hoping for many more re-birthdays, with all your support.