It’s difficult for me to accept that my husband will probably pass away before me yet it is a fact of life. Not only because of his Parkinson’s Disease, but also because of our age difference and his gender. It is difficult, it is depressing, yet it is also an important component of how I need to live my life now. I need to make sure that I have outside interests that extend beyond being a PD CarePartner or losing him will be even more devastating.

It may sound selfish, but the best way for me to care for him in the present is to prepare myself for the future. That includes considering where I will be after PD is no longer a part of my life. I have connected with a couple of friends who lost their partners recently and they both shared that it has been a difficult transition. As one put it, I am still trying to find my new role in life. Thankfully they both have family, friends and community connections to help see them through. I really appreciate their insight as I look forward to what will probably be my struggle one day.

There will be a time when our journey with PD ends. I hope it is not for many years yet, but never know for sure. I can begin to prepare for the next part of my life by making sure I have a life now. It doesn’t mean I won’t still be here for my husband; it just means that I am strengthening my connections to people in my world who will be here for me after he is gone. They won’t make up for his loss, but they can help me find my way through to the next portion of my journey.