Rick Ollie

Some chapters aren't rewritten with words. They're rewritten with choices. This is the story of the day I stopped living through a screen and started living in the moment. Sometimes the most meaningful stories aren't the ones we share—they're the ones we finally choose to live.

Some journeys aren't about where you're headed—they're about who's beside you. What began as a four-day trip to Mackinac Island became a story of love, second chances, family, and new beginnings. Sometimes the greatest destination isn't a place. It's a person. ❤️

What would I call The Hard Years? The last three years. Cancer, heart disease, loss, and uncertainty tested me in ways I never imagined. Yet through writing, support, and resilience, I discovered that healing isn't about returning to who you were—it's about becoming someone new.

Life has taught me that while we may not owe each other forever, we do owe each other honesty, compassion, and gratitude. A reflection on love, loss, healing, and the people who stay when life gets hard.

What would I call The Hard Years? The last three years. Cancer, heart disease, loss, and uncertainty tested me in ways I never imagined. Yet through writing, support, and resilience, I discovered that healing isn't about returning to who you were—it's about becoming someone new.

Three years after The Queen's Gambit, I look back on heartbreak, healing, cancer, friendship, and the people who stayed. A second opinion, an unexpected surprise, and lessons learned along the way remind me that healing isn't about what we lost, but what we gain.

What if Emperor Palpatine held open elections and nominated Darth Vader for Emperor? My choice to challenge him might not surprise you. I'd cast my vote for Ric Olié, Queen Amidala's trusted pilot. Read why I believe quiet competence beats fear and power.

Living with cancer is about more than scans and PSA numbers. In this deeply personal update, I reflect on treatment fatigue, learning the value of rest, Father's Day memories, friendship, love, loss, and a hopeful update from medical oncology. #RealTalk 💙

This week brought good scan results, an unexpected conversation about brachytherapy and a reminder that life is bigger than cancer. Between Greenfield Village, a birthday surprise, and a new treatment plan, I found something I've been fighting for all along: reasons to keep looking forward.

Cancer stole my calendar this week, filling it with scans, lab work, and doctor appointments. But it didn't steal everything. Good results, birthday plans, coffee with Maya, and hope made sure of that.

Most people would assume cancer or heart disease was the greatest fear I've faced. They'd be wrong. This is the story of divorce, heartbreak, Casey, Maya, and how learning to open my heart again became the hardest battle of all.

Do I believe in soulmates? I think I do, just not in the way most people imagine. This reflection explores love, loss, healing, and the people who helped shape my journey. Some stayed, some didn't, but each left fingerprints on my soul. ❤️✨

Five people. Five perspectives. One question that means everything. I asked people what “I love you” truly means to them and their answers changed the way I look at trust, healing, emotional safety, connection, and love itself. New blog now live.

Today’s prompt was to go on a walk and take a photo of something that caught my eye. I wasn’t on a walk, but this image still stopped me for a moment. Sometimes reflection, growth, and perspective show up in the places you least expect them.

Somewhere between oncology appointments, delayed plans, downtown Detroit, birthday month, and memories that still linger, I’m still learning how to smile through all of it. New injection. Same fight. Different day. Still here. Still writing. Still moving forward somehow.

Honored to celebrate this beautiful new chapter for Agnes and Robert as they prepare to welcome a baby girl this September. A story about hope, healing, love, family, and two incredible people beginning one of life’s greatest journeys together. ✨ 👉🏼 Full story and announcement in bio.

Sometimes life doesn’t break you all at once. Sometimes you slowly disappear into routines, survival mode, and silence until you realize parts of yourself went quiet years ago. This may be the most personal thing I’ve written yet and a fitting end for Mental Health Awareness Month.