And I decided then and there, I had to do whatever it took to be able to bike with her. In Kate Bowler’s words, I had to try to try.

At the bare minimum, seeking contentment began with me saying, “I am enough.”

The message to me is clear: Get online, so you can figure out how to live offline.

Just like that wise man and his various social media apps, I’ve decided to use different reading styles for alternative purposes.

The truth is, AE humiliated me. The truth also is, AE humbled me.

Taken together, those books, television dramas, and shirts were simple yet important ways I took action against an unwillable situation.

Jackie's story was recently published in "Better Because Collective."

Jackie has entered the (Substack) chat!

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.

You can watch the segment HERE.

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.”

Jackie's dream came true when she emceed the Humanities North Dakota Kate Bowler event!

Jackie was invited to Author Fest in Park Rapids, MN!

Unwillable is in its second edition and has a new cover!

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.