Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – Day 504

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Good morning, everyone. Happy birthday, Dave—aka Wilderness Man!

I just finished reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King, a novel about the temptation to change the past and the cost of trying to alter events that shape the future. King repeatedly uses the word obdurate to describe the past—its stubborn refusal to be changed. The greater the significance of the event, the more resistance you encounter when trying to rewrite it.

That word stopped me…about 26 times or so the internet says.

ALS is obdurate.

It remains stubbornly resistant to a cure, and no amount of wishing, bargaining, or careful planning will undo it. I can’t go back and rewrite August 13, 2024. I think about that day often—wondering if this is really happening to me. For a long time, even now 504 days in, I hoped it was a nightmare I would wake up from, whole again. But the answer is “no” each and every morning. There is no rabbit hole. No reset button. ALS is obdurate!

The butterfly effect of ALS is wide and far-reaching. This disease doesn’t just happen to the patient—it settles into the lives of family and friends, quietly asking them to adapt alongside me. It shows up as worry carried silently, tears shed privately, routines bullied, and patience challenged. And while ALS itself may be obdurate, the compassion, resilience, and support that surround it every day are strong and bold. You show up…steadfast and fearless…again and again.

For that…and especially for the love that arrives daily, without hesitation…we are deeply grateful.

So while I wouldn’t recommend ALS, I would recommend the book 11/22/63. It’s a good read. Thanks to Brenda K. who recommended it to me.

Have a great Tuesday. Love you guys!❤️

Photo of me and my triplet brothers, Tim on the left and Tom on the right. I’m in my power chair and I think the walkers and rollators are going out via the garage. It’s just another change with ALS. It affords me more functionality, but it just needs more space.