I feel thankful every day, despite the challenges of Parkinson’s

Hello, November! With the Thanksgiving holiday nearly upon us, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’m most thankful for. As the leaves change colors and the air gets cooler, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the past year and all of the reasons I have to feel fortunate.

I’m extremely lucky to live in the same community as the majority of my family. My husband, Arman, has early-onset Parkinson’s disease, and we count on several of our local siblings and their spouses for support almost daily. All four of our parents live near us as well, and we love to spend time with them. The rest of my family lives on the other side of the country, and visiting with them a few times every year is always a special treat.

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So what does Thanksgiving week look like in my home? The best part for me is that my grown-up children are with us under one roof. It feels like a gold-plated gift, wrapped up in a bow!

The kids stroll in at different times, depending on where they’re coming from. I’m thankful to hear the beautiful sounds of laughter in the house. This year, we’ll be missing our son, Jake, who is studying abroad this semester, but we’ll welcome a special guest that my daughter Mandy is bringing.

It usually takes the kids some time to settle in at home. After not seeing their dad for a few weeks or possibly months, they need to digest the progression of his Parkinson’s disease. Sometimes, they don’t notice much of a change in his symptoms, but other times, they’re disappointed to see a decline. No matter what, I can always count on them to be my right hand during their visits. I’m so very thankful for our children, who not only take care of their dad, but take care of me in the process.

Since Arman’s diagnosis in 2009, one of his favorite pastimes is watching movies. He can quote lines from almost every film he’s seen and loves the feeling of getting lost in a story. We love to watch movies as a family, and I’m thankful for those cozy moments. We’ll spend plenty of time at home this Thanksgiving enjoying some old comedies.

While Thanksgiving is a great time to be thankful, every day is an opportunity to look for the blessings in life. It can be challenging sometimes to feel grateful when you’re dealing with Parkinson’s-related issues, but it’s essential to look for uplifting things, including the leaves changing colors in the fall.

Don’t wait for Thanksgiving to think about what you’re grateful for!

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.