I never have been one to meditate, I find it really difficult to clear my mind and focus on relaxation. The mindfulness practices that I attempted in the past bored me and left me feeling like I was failing because I just couldn’t buy into them. However, the unpredictable nature of my husband’s illness has shown me the value of connecting with each and every moment because I never know what the next moment is going to bring.

Life is interesting for us these days. Yesterday, for example, we had just come in from working outside and were preparing to have a small glass of wine to honor the beauty of the day. All seemed fine as my husband reached for the glasses. His tremor kicked in, a glass fell to the floor and shattered. Before his diagnosis, I would have panicked, now I just look at him and ask him to step away while I clean it up. How does this equate to living in the moment? I was aware of his actions, couldn’t stop them but they didn’t throw me off, and I was able to respond in a calm and even manner.  

Much of this is thanks to the benefit of doing PD exercises with my husband. Components of the programs we participate in encourage us to always be in touch with our bodies. Thanks to his diagnosis, his brain must actively communicate with his arms and legs if he wants them to respond. The physical activity and awareness keeps me present in the moment and provides a greater connection with the world around me. Perhaps it is a version of mindfulness, but whatever it is, I am thankful that I am able to be here and be calm when PD is doing whatever it can to upset our days.