Bonni Brodnick Blog

Everyone's worse nightmare has got to be driving on an interstate highway at 65 mph and having a stroke.  My Stroke in the Fast Lane: A Journey to Recovery  is a tranformative story as Bonni seeks to reclaim her "magnificent life through humor, grit and defiance." True inspiration for anyone who has ever endured an experience that requires strength to move forward.              This holiday season, give the gift of hope and resilience.              

The Thanksgiving Saga (Panic!) by Bonni Brodnick Why am I so panicked about hosting Thanksgiving at my house? Because one year, I didn't put the bird in the oven long enough.  It was after 6:00 pm, and the turkey still wasn't finished. Then, one of our guests inhaled a giblet, and we had to rush to the ER. Plus, having one food as the frikkin' focal point is too stressful. All eyes are on the turkey. My other worry is a once-a-year, self-induced culinary panic about whether it will be judged succulent, dry, well-glazed, or burnt. Thus, my proclamation: I promise never to cook turkey again. (Share my angst. Read on.) .  .  . I brined the turkey the night before. When I took it out of the refrigerator on Thanksgiving morning, the salty/sweet brine had run over to one side of the plastic bag, covering only HALF of the turkey. So, I squished the liquid around and prayed this would work as a last-minute fix-it.  Until that is, my 20-something son strolled into the kitchen...

It was one of life's most terrifying moments: having a stroke while driving 65 mph on an interstate highway. My mother took the wheel like a Hollywood stunt double, and my road back to walking, talking, and swallowing had a story I needed to share. Many thanks to LifeTime Fitness for hosting a wonderful luncheon and book talk for My Stroke in the Fast Lane. Attendees heard how I turned trauma into triumph. Stroke survivors never quit!

My friend and fellow writer, M.L., and I are teaching an after-school memoir writing class to a group of third graders. The first class was like rounding up wild kittens. The second class, we actually got them to focus and WRITE !!!            

 

  Fiadh George Brodnick Her name, Fiadh, is pronounced "Fia", and "George" is after my mother's brother, who died in World War II. (Betty would have been thrilled to know her brother's name lives on.)  Big Brother Bowie is IN LOVE with his baby sister.  Born October 28 and weighing in at 5 pounds 15 ounces, her mom says, "Destined to be [my] excuse to throw elaborate Halloween/bday parties forever more."   We are so incredibly blessed to have Fiadh George here.