The afternoon sun sheds a hazy glow over the dry and crusty fields. The cattle seem to know exactly where to graze, crunching down on the freshest and greenest of the pasture. The humidity has diminished, but so has the over abundance of rain that brought on the springtime. Fall is just a few days away and the hope of life-giving rain now wraps our vision for the season ahead. The cycle of the seasons to which we’ve all become accustomed, wraps our “projected” vision for the days and weeks ahead. In a similar manner, we each take our abilities as “normal” expectations in the journey of life. For some on this journey, the expectation of the “normal” progression of life is met with an experience that interrupts or patently dis-“ables” that “normal” for which each of us seem to be preparing. There are any number of infections, infestations, accidents, diseases, or other inhibitors of life as we’ve come to know and expect it, and blatantly alter the projected expectation with the potential for “crashing” into a maze of “ab-normal” life experiences and challenges. Parkinson’s Disease has been the resounding provider of an unconventional “altar” call, demanding (not inviting) that it’s host permanently “alter” the way of engaging life’s process for which we were being otherwise adequately preparing. The normal “rain” that provides the necessary fluid for life, (called dopamine in the neurological realm) has been and is continually being reduced and or destroyed in the brain of the one affected. Conventional approaches have taken the route of attempting to replace and or reduce the diminution of the dopamine that has caused the stiffness, limps, shaking, anxiety, depression, lost voice, or any number of other effects resulting from the neural-depravity call “Parkinson’s”. The “season” has changed. What was taken for granted can no loner be counted on today. Tomorrow may be worse, or it may be better. Life will be different for the unprepared host (no one prepares for this) of the altered season that has unexpectedly and uninvitedly come upon him or her. Each symptom and each effect often creates the need for a new accommodation. I’ve learned that the best decoration for the accommodating suite is that coated with bright shades of gratitude accentuated in a deep base of thankfulness. Prepare for the new “normal”!
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