I came across a quote this morning attributed to Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher, that reads “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while deeply loving someone gives you courage.” Reading that brought my parents to mind. Their journey with Parkinson’s was very different from the one my husband and I are travelling, and my mother definitely had to be strong and courageous to face the challenges they encountered.

My father developed PD psychosis early in his diagnosis. Before his illness he was a very loving and attentive husband. He was the guy who would bring mom a bouquet of wildflowers or buy her perfume even if she never wore it. Once PD hit that all changed. There would be times when he was there with us and as loving as ever, but then there were also the times when he didn’t know who she was. There were times when he was easy to be with and times when he was upset and accusatory, PD confusion convinced him she was having affairs with other men.

Her journey as a CarePartner was much more difficult than mine has been. I regret not understanding more of what she was going through at the time, perhaps I could have been more helpful. What I do know is that the love they shared gave her the strength to continue. Her love for him gave her the courage she needed when it became time to let others care for him and then, when the time came, to say goodbye. I can only hope I am as strong and courageous as she was, I know I have the love.