invader
There is a visitor who likes to make himself at home in this host to Parkinson’s. His name is pain and he comes to visit whenever he is inclined to do so. Seldom does he call to give warning of his arrival and never does he wait for an invitation. He somewhat randomly invades his presumptive host and tends to up heave what might otherwise be a peaceful night’s sleep or otherwise relaxed moment. Sometimes as randomly as he invades he also partially departs to places unknown, much to the relief of his otherwise captive host. This uncanny visitor has a place of service when he “rings” his arrival in an otherwise healthy host. In the possessor of Parkinson’s however, he uses the bent wrought by deep brain neurological deficits as an unintended invitation to reside in places that disturb and annoy the host. Although this host is often “stimulated” to chase the host with a heart wrenching scold, he seeks instead a place of relief that comes from moving ahead with gratitude for the moments and times less affected by the invader. Thankfulness has not been the cure but has been the salve that has penetrated deep into the space of wellness that overshadows the dark cloud of the invader. For the times of relative freedom from the distasteful presence of the invader, we give thanks with a grateful heart and set about the things that show our gratitude. May gratitude be the lift that takes you to a higher place of thankfulness today!
A sly and cunning invader he is! Seemingly without cause, he creeps into the crevices of joints and muscle tendons with his incessant throbbing and resistance to nimble movement. In the quiet of my day I call him out as the uninvited intruder that he is. I speak not a kind word to him; rather I identify him as what he is, wretched and wrought with inconvenience. I seek to find a place or position absent his antagonism. I resist him by attempting to ignore his taunting. Finally, I let him know that although he is not the victor, I accept his presence as a temporary squatter who knows perfectly well he cannot reside permanently. Accommodating his annoyance temporarily is an exercise in stress reduction while standing firmly on the experience that he is not a permanent resident. Gratitude for infrequent visits further fills this cup to overflowing. Affirmed in thankfulness and endowed with recollection, I look at the visitor knowing that “this too shall pass.”