I was sitting in on a CarePartner zoom meeting the other day and one of the participants was really struggling with their load. I have those days too, when it seems like I can’t get ahead of the work and nothing is going well. Those are the days when I step back, take a breath, and find thankfulness for my own health and the opportunity to be here. I look at my basic needs and remember that I have a roof over my head when so many are houseless, food on my table when so many are going hungry, and a husband who loves me even though it comes with Parkinson’s Disease. I am a lucky woman and am grateful for it all.

Finding that sense of gratitude simply for life itself allows me to put things into perspective. I know a woman who lost her husband to PD a couple of years back.  She talks about how difficult her life could be, but that she wouldn’t trade a day of her journey because she was travelling it with a man she loved dearly. I understand that sentiment. I also know that it could be me who has the chronic illness and that my husband would be right here by my side taking care of me. I am grateful for the love we share that creates that bond. We are definitely together “for better or worse”.

Let me finish with something very personal, I want to say thank you to everyone who chooses to read these words. Your continuing support and comments give me a feeling of belonging and validation. You read my stories of struggles and triumphs, consider the things I say, perhaps you get encouragement from something I write. You help me get through my days without even knowing it and for that I am deeply and sincerely grateful. Thank you so much.

If this looks familiar it’s because I originally posted it a few years back. The topic of gratitude seemed appropriate today. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!