Bonni Brodnick Blog

"Please deliver requests for marriage at least six weeks before the legal event," writes The New York Times . I had started writing David and Libby's in the beginning of April and made a self-deadline to submit it by mid-month. Surely, that was enough time for a June 17 wedding.  The problem was: I had a stroke on April 16.  The announcement languished on my desktop for months as I began my recovery from Strokeland.  "I have to get the announcement in!" I said to my daughter. She helped me finish and submit it. Alas, we were too late. So here, for your reading pleasure, is the announcement of the beautiful marriage of David and Libby. *  *  * Elizabeth (Libby) Marie Mattern and David Hale Brodnick are to be married on June 17 at Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury, Mass.   Kate Mattern, sister of the bride, received a marriage designation from the State of Massachusetts to officiate the wedding. The bride, 28...

Janie Parks and Joe Manno In my HuffPost, My Stroke: I'm Still Here , I write, "... She (my 86-year-old mother) leaned over and veered the car into the right shoulder, where it collided into the metal beam guard raid. I remember two college-age people in a white car run up to the side of the car. Imagine driving and seeing a car slowly crash. They must have known something must be very wrong. ... The next thing I remember is watching these two Good Samaritans run back to their car. They must have called 911. And then, I was out. Now, 7 months later, I wish I knew who they were. I would them profusely. They saved my life. ... ___________ My quest was to find them. Surely, the Darien EMS would have the information: it was their ambulance that brought me to the hospital. When I called they said they don't have reports from State highways. I was referred to Troop G, who patrols that leg of Interstate 95. They referred me to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Se...

It's  a great  day for SQUIRRELS! Check out my HuffPost,  "Squirrel Appreciation Day: Don't Miss Celebrating!"

I’m so profoundly grateful to be here after my stroke -- which happened while DRIVING in the MIDDLE LANE of I-95. (A safe crash by my mother, who grabbed the wheel from the passenger seat and headed into the guardrail, was my initial savior, along with two Good Samaritans who stopped to help.) This followed by two hospital stays, lots of PT, OT, speech and an eventual pacemaker ... it's been quite a hike.  But I’m here!! And thrilled to be spending this New Year’s eve with my favorite guy. Thank you all for the love and encouragement along the way.  May your MMXVIII be filled-to-the-max with happiness + good health,  peace  ✌🏻  + love  .