The Thrivalist

As I climbed the rickety stairs to the quaint old banquet room I was full of anticipation. A reunion of family members from my paternal grandmother’s family was about to begin. A plethora of strange faces confirmed the distance in time and genetics that had invaded over the years. The accuracy of my destination was […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

Why(ning)

November 2, 2013

Tom Millner

All four of my children developed a propensity early on for responding to commands or direction with a respectful and sincere why. Wanting to be the patient and ideal (in my mind) parent, I would attempt to respond with the simplest explanation I could muster. After the fifth or so inquisition, the ideal parent gave […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

Winds of Change

November 1, 2013

Tom Millner

Gusts of wind are howling through the autumn hued trees taking with them nature’s kaleidoscope. The season is changing and the weather is its witness. The swing between cold and warm, rain and shine, gives evidence that fall is progressing with winter close behind. It has been fifteen years since I last witnessed an autumnal […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

Connections Renewed

October 31, 2013

Tom Millner

They both shared bright smiles as we greeted one another. It had been over forty years since my cousin and I had seen each other and here she was before me, with her husband by her side. They had arrived in the States just the week before. My cousin and her husband went to Japan […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

Reflection

October 30, 2013

Tom Millner

The daylight is just beginning its assent from beyond the distant eastern hill. The puppy is fed and has had her morning romp through the dew covered yard. She has settled down at the foot of my chair for her first nap of the day. In the stillness of this hour I reflect on the […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

From The Past

October 29, 2013

Tom Millner

As the reception tent was being dismantled, Gracie the Golden pup was nosing her way into each person’s attention. Suddenly, from a car that just pulled behind the tent transport truck came a lady I didn’t recognize. As she approached, having maneuvered around the ever more excited pup, she looked at me and called my […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

The Wedding

October 28, 2013

Tom Millner

The autumn breeze was bone chilling even as the direct sunlight seemed to move west. The months of planning and the days of hurried and exciting preparation were behind us as we gathered for the focal event. The surroundings were beautifully displayed as nature’s grand expression for the lives of two young lovers being united […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

Attitude

October 24, 2013

Tom Millner

As the market research team was presenting the findings of their survey completed the year before, I sat astounded at what I was seeing. A sizable group of patients who were diagnosed with what could be a terminal illness was asked a series of questions that were intended to uncover the attitudes and accompanying behaviors […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

At The Crest

October 23, 2013

Tom Millner

It was a beautiful sunny day in southern Italy. The tour had taken us south from Rome the previous day for an evening stay in Sorrento. My sons had been mesmerized with the early evening spent at the show of local and traditional folk music and today was to be a different adventure. We boarded […]

Parkinson's Disease Rants & Ramblings Archive

Anticipation

October 22, 2013

Tom Millner

Soon this quiet place called home will be bustling with the charm and chatter of arriving guests. The house and yard are being prepared for the tide of family and friends who will come to celebrate the legal and spiritual union of my son and his lovely and loving soon to be wife. While the […]