Last night, Carl and I went to dinner with the family across the street. It was fun and we laughed and had a good time. Although the husband is not my favorite person (he is the extreme opposite of my Carl...he is brash, loud, and rather condescending to women (to his wife, but NOT to me after I went toe to toe and he backed down) LOLOL
BUT, when Carl got up to pay the bill (our turn), the husband reached across the table and said, "We decided to let you know you can count on us. I know you think that you might be alone, but you won't be. Just holler if you need us. We will be keeping an eye on you both. Remember, Parkinson's IS his disease, but YOU are important, too." Then, his wife said, "I know it is hard for you to watch him work so hard in the yard, but I am proud of him for not giving in. He is trying to make an oasis for you both. Think of how much you are going to enjoy the pool, the fireplace, and just being in his creation. You are lucky he is such a great man and husband." I actually cried in the middle of the restaurant!
So, if anyone new to the board reads some of the posts and finds them too negative or sad, remember this post. There ARE good people out there. Do your best, but know that a great many will help you or listen to you or offer advice...you just have to ask.
I guess, to me, it becomes a matter of priorities. My PWP is my priority. I will go on, he won't. So, as long as he can go on, I value our time together. If that means he has really bad days, flares up, spends WAY too much money on his "projects", or whatever he needs to do or have to keep his mind and body active, then so be it. It is very hard to watch the man I married over fifty years ago fade away, but PD can never take away his soul and his goodness. It IS in there, just is sometimes hard to find!
Keep trying. Keep loving. Find your happiness in the little things. Not every day is good, but not every day is bad. Some days are spectacular because your PWP is still here. Ask anyone who no longer has their PWP, they will tell you...keep fighting for him or her. It is so worth it! Love to you all, Jane
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