I take lots of notes on my phone to remind me of the things that I’m planning to write about. But sometimes I think I overestimate my ability to understand my own shorthand. For example, I have a note for today that just says Relativity. That’s what the blog is supposed to be about, but I have no idea what it means or even if it’s actually the word that I wrote and not just some autocorrection.

Relativity.

Yep, just checking. I have nothing to say on that topic.

Some good things have happened lately, so maybe I should write about those things. I finished a New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle without cheating. I made it through the entire morning of no school without yelling at Scarlett or Otto. Wait, nope. I did yell at Otto, because he was eating all the plants in the backyard. He deserved it, so that doesn’t count.

And I won an award, which happened a little while ago, but I realize I haven’t really acknowledged it yet. It’s a leadership award from ALS TDI, the main organization that my family and I support since we feel that they share our sense of urgency around developing treatments and a cure for ALS.

More specifically, it is the Stephen Milne Adventurous Spirit Award, the title of which probably made Rob laugh, because he’s been skiing with me. I don’t even really enjoy going down hills in my wheelchair, so adventurous is not exactly the word I would use to describe myself. Oh, I just looked up the award on TDI’s website and it says:

This award is presented to a member of the ALS community who strives to creatively combat ALS within their own community by searching for innovative ways to fundraise.

That makes more sense—it’s about the success of the #whatwouldyougive campaign, which means it’s not just mine, but that it belongs to everyone who participated in the fundraiser. I’m not saying that to be magnanimous; once that campaign got going, I just sat back with a glass of wine and watched. But I’m happy to accept the award, because that’s fun.

The other recipients of the Stephen Milne Award are Maureen Ramirez and Team Godfather Charitable Foundation. Hmmm…more people to share it with. I hope I get the face part of the award.

Stephen Finger, who is quite awesome and adventurous, won this award last year, but I don’t recall him having to share it with anyone. Good for you, Stephen. Whatever.

And I’m in very good company with my fellow award winners and friends Matt Bellina, Bobby Forster, Beth Hebron, and Jay Smith. Matt and Jay won the Stephen Heywood Patients Today Award, Beth won the Fran Delaney Challenge & Respect Award, and Bobby won the Mary Lou Krauseneck Courage & Love Award. All well deserved.

Last year, Rob and I attended TDI’s White Coat Affair in Boston, where we got to meet many of these amazing people for the first time. ALS has really brought us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this group, even though I wish that we were just sports fanatics meeting for our annual squash convention. I’d love to be able to go to Boston again this year, to attend the actual Leadership Summit instead of just showing up for the party, and to see some of these people who are so important in my life despite the fact that I’ve met them in person one time.

Unfortunately, traveling is too hard for me, and we’ll have to sit this one out. I’m extra bummed, because I understand Pat Quinn will be bringing straws for everyone, and nothing makes a party an ALS party like straws. You might not agree if you don’t have ALS, but I guess it’s all relative.

Relativity–BOOM!

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