My husband and I were in our middle years when we met and married. Our relationship is built on three strong legs much like a milk stool. The first leg is intellectual, we can have intelligent conversations. The second is emotional, we understand and support each other on a deep level to face issues together. The third leg is a physical connection, we enjoy giving and receiving physical pleasure with each other. Parkinson’s has tried to cut those legs out from under us, particularly the third.

I know that some of our difficulties come from being older. We are both less limber than we used to be and certain moves are painful if not impossible. We can avoid those things that hurt and still hold each other close. We can still touch each other and share in the pleasures of cuddling, kissing and hugging. If something more develops, we are still able to find pathways to satisfaction even though it may look different than it once did.

It’s a Sunday afternoon, grey outside and no real plans. It may be a good day to play, we’ve talked about that for this afternoon. I like that we still have a somewhat active sex life, I do wish it could be more spontaneous. I have dreams that take me back to better times, but wake to our current reality and it’s okay. I have found that it is better to be thankful for what we have and grateful for what we once had, rather than sad about what we’ve lost thanks to PD. We’ll keep working on that third leg, whatever it needs to look like, because without it we’d fall over and neither of us want that to happen.