It's tough to move past hurt, worry or concern. It is hard not to judge. Well, Parkinson's has thrown us into the eye of the storm and we're trying to stay dry! Thankfully the sun always comes out.
"Remember, anyone can love you when the sun is shining. It's in the storms where you learn who truly cares for you." That sort of floored me when I heard it today. I am sure every parent, ever spouse, every good friend knows the depth of that thought. It's tough to move past hurt, worry or concern. It is hard not to judge. Well, Parkinson's has thrown us into the eye of the storm and we're trying to stay dry! Thankfully the sun always comes out. Today those words were meant for me. Perhaps they will be meant for you tomorrow.
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I do wonder sometimes why I persist in writing this blog. This coming February it will be 4 years! I do it on the cheap so one cannot actually find anything if they don't follow it regularly. If I were to actually 'pay' a monthly fee there would be a search field, an index. The closest thing I have to that is the side bar where I can categorize posts. But even with that you might have to hit 'Previous' 4 or 5 time to get to what you want. So again? Why do I do what can't be accessed? I guess it is about processing. I am able to take my complicated life, write about my misgivings or quandaries and process it all. It is a safe place to find clarity without actually too much drama. Russ' dad always said "Sleep on it". By that he meant take the raw data/thoughts/ worries/concerns and let them lay fallow until the next morning. I appreciate how the process of writing can mute the edges and bring balance and harmony to a situation. Our life is a roller coaster. When I began this blog we lived in the woods on 10 acres and had the lush sound of silence as our neighbor. Now 15 years later we live in an ADA home, have vey close neighbors and the sounds of city life to feast on. Would our great grandkids or great-great know that if I did not write it all down? Perhaps not.
It is a history lesson in words and pictures. I think of today's youth (anyone under 50 really) who have all their photos on their phone and computer. What will they have to pass on to next generations? In today's world of technology, the simplicity of using a Smart phone to take pictures is addictive and society is producing more photographs than ever. With that scenario, hardly any of these photos will make the transition into the physical world. There is no point fighting this change, but neither should we ignore the value of print. In writing this blog and printing off each entry, I am keeping 'our history' alive. History is priceless; it is an education for those who come later. Photos and stories save memories and keeps things from being forgotten. We have a monthly education/support group here in Durango. It is startling how many folks in the surrounding area have Parkinson's. Here are a few facts to ponder.
Having a local group that cares and supports one another is a blessing. Durango is a world of healthy, exercising folks. Joe Williams is a local biker has Parkinson's. I have no idea of the path that led to the connection, but Joe has been the spoke person from Durango with the Davis Phinney Foundation. (https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org) and because of his initial efforts Durango is now partnered with the Foundation. The biggest fund raiser for this Durango group and supported by the Davis Phinney Foundation is the Iron Horse Classic: http://www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com This race is 30.3 miles with a 8992' elevation gain. (hurts me to think about it!) Consider giving: Go to www.my.davisphinneyfoundation.org. There you can find information on the home page about how to support PD through the Foundation. Exercise is critical for people with Parkinson's disease. Of course we can say that for everyone, but I am speaking out on our behalf. Exercise is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility, fine & large motor independence and quality of life. Studies show that people with Parkinson's who exercise about 2.5 hours a week show smaller declines in a two year period than those who give up and sit all day. I have said many times that it is important for all of us to think about life beyond ourselves. I believe everyone should 'give back', 'pay it forward', donate funds or time. I also believe we can't give to every organization that asks. We must pick an organization, person or group that speaks to our heart. Almost every day I see how the Davis Phinney Foundation has touched the people of our PD community. Because of the fundraising through the Iron Horse Classic, Durango has multiple exercise classes provided free to those with Parkinson's (remember, exercise is critical!). Today I attended the third professionally sponsored conference about PD this year right here in town. These have been invaluable to Russ and me. If you think this might be a place you would like to support the fight against Parkinson's, please visit the site listed above and 50% of the donations will come right back to Durango. You can be confident that the funds provide crucial resources to those affected by this terrible disease. Living the life of a person affected with PD or the caregiver is tough. Until those words "You have Parkinson's disease", you have no clue of the impact. The support I have gained by our PD community is sheer love, grace, concern and hope. It is encouragement. With every new stage, new decline, new challenge, there is someone who has a story to pave the way for us. These are folks who motivate and encourage one another to exercise. We are family and I praise Joe's efforts along with his team for blessing us. It seems more and more our senses are flooded with imagines and stories of environmental disaster. In the last month Hawaii has experienced extensive flooding (a whopping 49.69" of rain in a 24hr. period), a volcano eruption and now an earthquake (6.9 with frequent tremors). Our church disaster preparedness team is in Houston this week working on rebuild projects (still needed a year later!) Note: this is a photo of the first house they worked on taken just after the hurricane passed through. Living in the comfort of my home, I look at the photos and honestly cannot imagine living in the midst of such destruction. You hear reports of the vast amounts of water with no place to go, but then to imagine my own home with water to the roof line is beyond me. Last year weather disasters struck so many parts of the world... Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico. There was fire in California, flooding and monsoons in Asia, landslides and drought in Africa, and an earthquake in Mexico City. These storms have transformed life in these parts of the world. The way people are processing these natural disasters is dismay, resignation, PTSD and the waking each day with nagging worry. It is nearly impossible for me to wrap my head around the possibility of an upcoming hurricane season when the last one is still a daily struggle. The impending season is borderline horrific. In the US alone the causes and recovery efforts are staggering. When I wake day after day to a bluebird sky and perfect temperatures, I ponder my blessings. We live in a water short area. Winter has left us with only 65% of our usual moisture for this time of year. Fire season is upon us. Is there a safe place to live? Has climate change confused the country environment to such an extent that no one is completely safe? Will one of these disasters come to Colorado? Will we experience fire this summer? Do I wake in fear each day or just feel blessed that another day hasn't begun with water up to my roofline or a fire starting in a nearby region?
Yet another Blue Bird day has begun here in Colorado. It's a gift I choose not to take for granted. |
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