I’ve heard them all. I particularly loved the statement that my husband wouldn’t die from Parkinson’s but would die with it. I live with this knowledge and don’t need reminders of it. Instead I want to focus on the flip side, strength, resilience, courage, the positive aspects of fighting this illness together. I want to look at what we can still do, not what has been taken away.

There are those days, however, when the darkness creeps in. I see it in the progression of my husband’s symptoms and when I catch myself doing more to assist him without even thinking about it. Changes in our lives sneak in and suddenly we’re further along in this journey than I realized. And it scares me. What am I going to do when the inevitable happens? What will life look like after? We have an estate plan that covers practical issues, but how can I plan for dealing with the loss?

In those flashes of fear, I am reminded of the importance of each interaction. We are both still here and fighting. We need to find the best way to make it through each day that we are given. Living life as a Parkinson’s CarePartner can be positive if it reminds me that every experience we get to share is precious. I shouldn’t waste any of them worrying about what might come someday. Live life for today and make it worthwhile, that’s what truly matters in this moment.