Happy Thanksgiving

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” William Arthur Ward

“No matter what our circumstance, we can find a reason to be thankful.” David Jeremiah

Happy Thanksgiving: It is that time in the USA to give thanks and be grateful. Margaret Cousins said, “Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.”

I have always believed that change was not necessarily a good thing. So, since mid-year, I left Chapel Hill, NC, where I have been for almost four decades, and moved to Bluffton, SC. Moving to this lovely little town in the deepest southeast corner of South Carolina (just 15 min from Savannah, Georgia) has been an exciting change for many positive reasons.

I have gone from being an older faculty member in Chapel Hill, surrounded by a college-town youthfulness, to being a youngster among many engaging older adults in my community. Their life experiences are remarkable and very enriching.

I have completed a career as a medical school educator/biomedical scientist to become a retired professor. Those who trained me, I am forever in your debt, and those I have taught or trained are forever in my heart.

Maybe it is the available time, the reduction in stress from not working, but I have published 33 blog posts this year, the vast majority (27 blog posts) from the new location in South Carolina. And I still have December left to write. Not sure where this energy stream has come from, but I am grateful to be able to express these thoughts/ideas.

I used to be 4-5 hrs from an ocean’s beach to now being ~30 min from Hilton Head Island and its beautiful beaches. The beach offers a unique feeling I can get in no other place, and it comes with such gratefulness that it allows me to relax there.

My best friend Susan is now my roommate and so much more, including Care Partner. We have much planned over the next few years; retiring together is the plan’s start.

My newest motto is highlighted in the below picture.

Being Grateful at Thanksgiving: (These words began a few years ago in this blog post entitled Happy Thanksgiving from Journey with Parkinson’s, and have been expanded here)
Living with Parkinson’s can have daily challenges.
Dealing with both motor and non-motor symptoms can complicate your life.
Deciding how one approaches this daily life challenge of Parkinson’s can be complicated.
And if it is difficult for you, think of those that help you enable this life of yours.

Be thankful for what we currently have.
Be grateful for those who help you each day in small and large ways.
Be aware of the one who loves you, and give them thanks, recognizing that being with you (sometimes) is not the most straightforward task in their daily life.
Thank your co-workers who contribute to your overall wellness, emotional health, and mental strength.
Thank your friends; they make you laugh and willingly join your journey.
Thank your family for their unrelenting support, caring, and love. It matters.

Whenever I meet another person with Parkinson’s, I appreciate our shared bond. I understand our burden better, and I admire your courage and strength.
Thank you for reading this blog. It gives me strength every day.

Stay healthy, be safe, and don’t ever give up!
Happy Thanksgiving

“Expressing gratitude for the miracles in your world is one of the best ways to make each moment of your life a special one. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!” Wayne Dyer

Cover photo image by Alexa from Pixabay