September 16, 2017

Greetings My Friend,

I am sitting in my recliner, writing when I notice my lower jaw quiver, that is weird I think and then I realize that Parkinson's seems to have tremors all over the place. I ask myself if I could exercise my jaw....lately I tell myself maybe exercise will help take it away....for awhile anyway. As the exercise thoughts fade my mind begins to contemplate how much work I put in trying to stay on top of this disease. At times I think it is the only focus I have anymore, how can I keep the symptoms at bay so I am able to enjoy day to day life for as long as I am able. The self focus is difficult when I would rather be involved with other people. As this thought fades I start thinking when all of a sudden I hear a ting, it is Debbie texting me asking me if I would be up to going to Pigeon Forge for 3 days with her and Boogie. I jump on the invite faster than lightning of course I want to go away. Pigeon Forge is only 4 hours from our house, hotel's have elevator's and we can shop, go to the room and hang out as much as we want to. All three of us don't have a whole lot of energy so it sounds like a good match. If Debbie and Boogie are tired and don't want to go out after our naps I can always take a walk around the hotel, go swimming or even exercise so that I can get back to sleep at night. I have felt I could handle a couple of days away nearby, we have a variety of areas around us that we could visit. Three days sounds like the right amount of time to go away and a huge break from the day in and day out routines in life. I appreciate Debbie and Boogie asking me to tag along, I love the thought of having some girlfriend time. Chronic illnesses are hard to deal with although my thinking is if we learn to manage our illnesses we can still have some fun in life. Debbie has severe asthma, Boogie is 85, needs oxygen and is rather weak anymore. As friends we understand that we will go and do as much as we can, there will be times we cancel on each other at the last minute and that is okay. I am thankful that Debbie and Boogie are comfortable with Junior hanging around and now I am thankful that they are comfortable to ask me to join in on some of their fun. I need miss going to dinner with a girlfriend like I used to do in Michigan sometimes a couple of us girls would take off for a weekend it gave us time to be all about the female side of things. When our time is done coming home to Junior will be special. His trip to Michigan recently taught me I can handle quite a lot on my own still, now I can learn how much I am able to handle on short trips away from home. God has opened up another opportunity to be with people and I am excited. May God bless you and keep you, make His face shine on you. Love Janet