The word courage originates from the Latin word for heart “cor”. It is defined by Dictionary.com as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear.”  We, I, must have a strong heart and spirit to face this debilitating disease that is changing my life. I must have the courage to live through each day knowing that it will eventually take my husband from me. But the real reason I am able to keep going on is the courage my husband shows. He is the true hero of this story.  

I am reminded of a quote from Mary Anne Radmacher, “Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” Every morning my husband wakes up and struggles just to get out of bed. His legs are stiff and uncooperative, but they don’t stop him from rising and going outside for the newspaper before making his own breakfast. The fatigue, balance issues, mental fogginess thanks to his diagnosis don’t keep him from exercising on a regular basis. Nothing slows him down in his battle against PD. My situation, being his CarePartner, pales in comparison to the challenges he encounters. I am losing him slowly, but he is losing so much more. Yet he keeps on trying.  

I have been thinking a lot recently about my strengths and realize the greatest strength I have comes from my husband, from having his love. He inspires me, he empowers me, he puts up with me when things are not going well for either of us. He gives me reason to keep trying, to keep fighting. If he can continue with everything he is facing, then surely so can I.