Happy Thanksgiving: Live On, Our Lives Have Not Been Canceled By Parkinson’s

“Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” Harvey Fierstein

“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Dolly Parton

Introduction: On October 23, 2015, I posted a blog entitled “Poetry to Parkinson’s’.” I go back occasionally and revisit old blog posts. Today, “Poetry to Parkinson’s”(click here) was my post to revisit.

I am definitely not a poet, and my attempt at prose was relatively lukewarm at best. But the message was sincere, its meaning real, and it was an honest effort. Besides I used to think I would know a good line when I read it and recognize good song lyrics. For instance, when AC/DC sings from “Highway to Hell” (click here for video): “Askin’ nothin’ / Leave me be / Takin’ everythin’ in my stride / Don’t need reason / Don’t need rhyme.” Or when James Taylor sings “Fire and Rain” (click here for video): “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain / I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end / I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend / But I always thought that I’d see you again.”

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” Marcus Aurelius

In revisiting this post from 2015, I want to update the sentiment in several paragraphs:
Live on. Life has not been canceled. Living with Parkinson’s is like walking on the beach as high tide begins its approach, with sand shifting under your feet. At the same time, the water hits your ankles, which challenges your balance and movement. Your life is being undermined by Parkinson’s; however, you keep going. Your new life’s goal is living with a high tide that never recedes; with time, it worsens. While you stumble, you do not fall or fail. Life has not yet been handed off to Parkinson’s; keep persisting, don’t give up, ever.

Living with Parkinson’s says your future life will be different from your life before. Accept the new addition to your life, but do not let it define you. In every breath, during every second of your beating heart, continue with perseverance, strive for happiness, and live on.

Living with Parkinson’s says you are still you today. The same you from before the diagnosis. Stay active, keep moving, and exercise. Getting off that couch and just sitting is Parkinson’s trick and deception. Stay focused, sleep when you can, and let the healing powers of sleep run through your brain. Be focused and, as always, remain hopeful. Live on. Life has not been canceled.

“Things end. People leave. And you know what? Life goes on. Besides, if bad things didn’t happen, how would you be able to feel the good ones?” Elizabeth Scott

A Thought at Thanksgiving: I realize we are all different in expressing our symptoms. We are progressing differently, and likely the current stage we are at today with Parkinson’s. I am saying that we are united, unified under the same banner. Through stiff legs, vivid dreams, sleep attacks, depression, dyskinesia, changing vision, and the strength of our existing therapy, there must be something that we are thankful for—gratitude matters. We still have much we can offer in thanks.

I am grateful for the ever-present support from many readers of this blog. Our strength is collectively apparent to me. I know of your frustrations in living with Parkinson’s. It truly sucks. I am thankful to my family and friends who never lose hope for me. I thank your everpresent support and help. And finally, I am grateful for Susan’s presence, caring, and loving support. It may be tough love in some respect, but her commitment is always present, and it is a life-bargain no one anticipates. But she is steadfast in her determination to help me, and I appreciate it all.

Thus, this Thanksgiving, the weekend warrior is recovering yet again from lower back pain and hip tightness. And I’m thinking right now, the music from the “Eye of the Tiger” is playing (yes, we made it to a home football game in Tiger Stadium at LSU (Louisiana State University) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my Tigers (you must remain true to your college alma mater) beat the Florida Gators (however, that is a story for another time).

These pains remind me of a better time when recovery was quicker, injuries were healed faster, and life was without Parkinson’s. Maybe somewhere, a little scorekeeper is watching over my competitive spirit, judging my daily effort to keep going living with sports-derived pain and amid Parkinson’s. I am most grateful for my stubbornness, a relentless persistence that refuses to let Parkinson’s take hold completely. I am thankful for all I have, you included. Thank you. Live on. Life has not yet been canceled.

“Your attitude toward gratitude matters, and being grateful will strengthen your grip on remaining hopeful and optimistic and on being persistent and resilient amid Parkinson’s. Overall, be thankful for everything around you that supports your effort against that scourge named Parkinson’s.” Frank C. Church

Bermuda sunset, cover photo by Frank C. Church