Bird Returns to his Nest for Memorial Day

Brothers, friends, and Lund family:

Bird is back in his nest for the Memorial Day holiday. It was another case of the helping hand with Mike "Chips" Wilson and Ty Damon helping with the handoff of his bigness to Barb on Friday evening.

He made it through the first week of aggressive chemo relatively unharmed; by relatively, Bird said that "I've felt better, but I've felt worse, too." According to Bird, he owes his understanding of just how bad he can feel due to frequent indulgence in Jack Daniels (although some of you have heard that I recently gained an appreciation for this feeling, too).

There hasn't been too much nausea due to the strong anti-nausea drugs that he is taking, but the appetite hasn't been really strong, either. I talked with Bird just about every day this week and that in itself was a challenge since he had so many visitors and so many calls. It was tough to find a time where he wasn't busy.

There were many brothers this week that provided significant in-kind contributions to the Bird and his family, but now more than ever, Mark's family needs your help monetarily, too. If you've been helping them in any way you can, that is the helping hand in action. But, if you can't help out with temporary housing and transportation in the Ann Arbor area during the week of chemo, or join in a work outing at the Bird's Nest (and even if you have), then please consider using the information and links at the right of this post to send in your hard earned cash to help.

Mark's disability payments from the state of California have been irregular at best, and the very significant medical bills are starting to roll in. Bird's chemo grovel will continue for the next SIX MONTHS. Therefore, we need the brotherhood to keep The New Century Century Club going MONTHLY for the next 6-9 months. If you haven't contributed yet, please do so NOW using the links to the right. If you have already contributed, please make a note to send ANOTHER contribution in June.

Last week, brother Jim Curran told Bird and Barb that he was sending $2,000 from the Big Bird Support Fund to them right away with another $2,000 within a week. No Mercy Percy, Messiah, and I were sitting at the table when Stick told them this great news. Big Bird was immediately and completely overwhelmed. His direct comment was "thank you to everyone for taking this weight off of my shoulders."

You can help Bird focus on getting well if you will help us take care of the mounting medical bills so that he doesn't have to.

Finally, Tom Budnick sent this out via email last week. I think it will help us all put into perspective why and how much we should help with Bird's grovel:
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I’m one of the guys that’s been slacking so my check is going out today.

I know some of you guys spend more than you should at the following and none of those expenditures are going to have as satisfying of an impact. This is money well spent, especially if you aren’t able to donate time to assist.

* Strip Clubs…. Bird may not be better looking than the hot double D stripper with the sweet two finger patch and the low back tat, but he sure as hell was funnier looking when he’d streak down Abbott!
* Church…not saying God and your local parish isn’t important, but how many of us donate on Sunday and never actually see the person our money helps…..here’s a chance to know where it’s going!
* Taxes…Obama is forcing us to support all the fricking losers out there who refuse to help themselves (sorry couldn’t resist the shot)….take a stand and support someone who is a winner, but in a tough spot…..if all my tax money went to help people in the kind of spot Bird finds himself in I’d gladly support Mr. O!
* Taxes 2…..I know some of you embellish your charitable expenses…here’s a chance to alleviate some of your GUILT…you lying pricks!
* The Bar…..Most of you spend way too much there….. divert some to the fund….your liver could use the break!
* All you Potheads….cutting back to a joint or two a day instead of a dime bag would do your lungs a favor and Bird could use the money to get that nasty little bastard off his lung!
* Gasoline…..shit at today’s prices $100 is like 2-4 fill ups…unless you’re a fag and drive a Prius…..again couldn’t resist J….I saw the pictures from Bird’s bash and most of you are fat and out of shape so take “ride your bike to work week” literally this year and donate your savings to the cause!

Anyway…seriously…hope you’re all well and this helps motivate you to get out your check book. Like someone said…nothing is too small!
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Well said, Bud!

Fraternally,
Bando