I know that sometimes I am too independent. I am great at offering and helping others, yet I don’t reciprocate. I really don’t like to ask anyone for help with tasks I feel I should be doing. Perhaps it’s because I was raised in a can-do family who did everything on their own. My Dad was the king of duct tape and crazy glue, I think I inherited that same attitude. One thing that my husband is still trying to teach me is that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

There are times in our lives when we all need a little help. My first option has always been my husband, but his symptoms of PD are starting to get in the way. As we walk this journey together, I don’t want to make him feel any less because he can’t do the things he has always done. Neither do I want to be the one who is too tired all the time because I am trying to do the work of both of us.

It feels great when someone asks me to help them; I love the feeling of satisfaction when we are done. Knowing that they trust me and feel I have something to offer boosts my ego and builds my emotional sense of wealth. I need to remember that I can give these positive feelings to others simply by allowing them opportunities to help me with jobs that are difficult or too complicated to complete alone.  The decisions I am making are not just about me anymore, they impact my husband too. I am going to learn to prioritize tasks so that I can ask for and accept the help we need so that we can both stay healthy and happy.