When we were first together, we started a tradition of checking in every week to see how things were going. Our first question was about challenges we faced over the past week and we each took turns answering it. We followed that up with what went right for each of us, perhaps how did we meet those challenges. Our final question was what challenges do you see coming in the next week?

As the years passed, out check-ins became fewer and farther apart. It wasn’t because we didn’t still want things to go well, it was simply because they were going okay and we forgot. It’s like maintenance on our house, there are things we ignore because they are working and then suddenly they are not. My husband’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease was one of those things that suddenly was not.

His PD brings many challenges to our relationship, some obvious like medical appointments, others not so obvious. There are some difficult decisions that we are going to have to make in the coming years. We are re-instituting our weekly check-ins so we can discuss what is happening with both of us. Talking about challenges can be depressing so we always make sure to finish with what has gone right this week. No matter how tough the week has been, we can always be thankful for the things that did work out well and look forward to what is coming with renewed hope and love.