Just like I’m an active learner, I’m an active pray-er. When it was my health, and I could only do so much to manage the unmanageable, I turned to my rosary. When I had nothing but fear, faith, and a dash of hope, I repeatedly prayed Hail Marys. And I won’t stop.

I hallucinated a clock. And have endlessly discussed it. Cool.

As I look back, hope never lied to me or led me astray. It promised me life would be hard, but it also assured me that I was up to the challenge. It guaranteed mountains, but gave me the courage to climb them.

With music being such an integral part of my March madness, you’d think I’d want to run from it. Not a chance. I’ve decided to lean into it.

In 2025, I must make a concerted effort to remain steady. Uncertainty abounds here in my four Bismarck walls and around the globe.

Since May 2018, I’ve perpetually lived in that final scene of It’s a Wonderful Life: “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.”

God, I needed that. I needed Rachel that day. I needed the reminder that it’s all going to work out. That my life is so full of blessings.

Bruce Foster was a Vietnam veteran. His funeral was Saturday, just two days before today, Veterans Day, which I found quite significant.

Pride truly cometh before the fall.   I would have preferred to keep my pride and avoid the fall. But, alas, on October 10, 2024, I fell...

Fall is a season of favorites. It’s my favorite season. Enjoy your days. And make sure you find time to stop and smell the sunflowers.

Because I dearly love Kate Bowler, Humanities has asked me to emcee Kate’s No Cure For Being Human, Brave Conversation, on October 10th!

In my new life, I’m a much better mother than I ever would have been.

It will continue to change my life. And by the grace of God, the lives of others.

If you know me or follow my social media, then you know I believe that every single thing that comes out of Kate Bowler’s mouth is...

That’s possibly why I feel so pulled to mark my anniversary of AE symptom and seizure free on May 26th by climbing.

“Summer’s coming.” I’ve been repeating this to myself quite a bit over the past two months. Summer is coming. Realistically speaking....

It’s hard to represent a story that was a lifetime in the making, in one small 9ish by 6ish inch dimension, that’s made even tinier online.

Phill was the bravest, humblest, SuRvivor, Recoverer, and Rebuilder I’ll ever know.

At my “premier” event where I debuted my “TED Talk” in front of a full crowd at our local state college, during the Q and A, one woman...

One of the most meaningful things I’ve ever heard came from my friend Becky’s funeral last fall. (I wrote about Becky when I took her to...

On Saturday it hit me. Like it really hit me. When Sean said, “It’s this weekend.” And I said, “My birthday is this weekend?!?”...

I love the pictures of sixteen-year-olds when they’re happiest. And when they feel like life is just beginning. We’ve all seen it on our...

I still listen to the radio when I’m driving our kid car. So yip, this is me over here, listening to the radio while cruising (and no,...

Last Sunday evening, our church hosted turkey bingo. One of my favorite childhood memories is playing church bingo when my Grandpa Allen...

My first memorable hot-headed experience was in fourth grade basketball. It was my first year of playing organized ball and I snapped at...

While out of town to give a speech, I met an old friend, Peter. He’s truly one of my all-time favorite lawyers and a dear friend. We...

Life is too short not to stop and smell (pick up) the roses (feathers). Birds of a feather stick together. It all started on the day of...

I feel strongly that my political beliefs come from one very basic idea: We are defined by the ways we treat the least among us. I often...

Even though I was only twelve years old, I still remember the day I met her. I was in 7th grade and she was the brand spankin’ new 4th...

See you in my dreams. If only it was that easy. I wish for a few things in life: Dinner with Elton, a lake cabin, to not dream at all...

A while back, I had to have an IV treatment. I’ve only had one every one or two years for a while now and it’s not for AE, so I consider...

/ Author's Note: I wrote this stream of conscious blog on my phone by the river on May 26, 2023. I spent my first anniversary on May 26,...

“You’re an original Stebbins Strong, Dad.” I’m so glad I got to share that with him. It came the night we had the call. That’s how I’ll...

Just the other day, I read an Instagram post from Mel Robbins, who is widely known, a lawyer, news commentator, keynote speaker, NYT...

You can say it. You can tell me, “I’m sorry you’re no longer a lawyer.” Just yesterday, someone messaged me about my book. She was...

While I didn’t sign up for them, a while back, daily inspirational quotes started showing up in my inbox. I absolutely love them. And if...

My girl’s a dancer. It was all I could think as she moved to the music in her gold and black sparkly outfit. With her little tan jazz...

Meeting my Mayo Clinic neurologist as the real me, post autoimmune encephalitis.

Just recently, I listened to Brené Brown’s two-part podcast with Bono. It was amazing. Most of the conversation revolved around Bono’s...

In August 2021, I went solo to my first ever TEDx event. And it was a game changer for me. I met a new friend group and was introduced to...

My childhood encompassed the late eighties through the nineties. I also grew up in a small town in North Dakota. In those days and in...

Remember that metaphorical blog I wrote about my alarm clock? It’s one of my favorites. The times, they are always a changin’, aren’t...

My favorite part of a flight is takeoff. I love that amazing feel of the combination of max speed and the moment you feel the lift. And...

I don’t have a lot of experience with meeting other AE patients and survivors. My cup of in-person exchanges runneth dry. The first...

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought of this night for a long time. Maybe not during that first year where I struggled to survive, but...

The event was pure magic. Well maybe not magic, no one had a wand or cauldron or a Harry Potter robe, but it was the best night I...

It’s just a piece of paper. I can tell myself that. It’s a larger piece of thicker paper. With a beautiful green and gold, embossed...

It was the last book signing of the summer. I was driving home from Fargo in the early morning hours, to get back for the kids’ open...

I’ll never forget the day I first met Jon. I was in a frazzle over our law office moving and I didn’t have an ergonomic desk or chair for...

I was finishing up my walk this morning. Fall is nearing, because I wore a thin, but long-sleeved shirt. I knew it would get hot later,...