Parkinson’s disease taught me to find joy in ordinary moments

When many people picture Parkinson’s disease, they envision the tremors. Their hearts sink, and they get quiet, perhaps thinking of a distant relative or friend who had the condition. Before my dad’s diagnosis in 2013, I fell into this category, picturing a man we knew from church who stooped over his pew.

Occasionally, I explain to someone new that my dad is a victim of Parkinson’s. No matter who it is, their face grows dark, they bow their head, and solemnly say, “I’m sorry,” as if we’re already mourning Dad’s death.

It’s a strange dance that I’ve come to intimately know. Most of the time, I see the toll that the disease takes on my dad and understand how it warrants such an attitude. I feel its weight in the way Dad’s eyebrows crease when I ask him how he is.

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But an unexpected consequence of this condition is the sense of presence that it yields. When my family is together, we’re more awake than ever. And when we’re present, it’s easier to notice the quiet moments of joy that often disappear into the backdrop of our lives.

Joy doesn’t arrive in grand moments or major milestones frequently. More often, it seeps in through ordinary moments like a shared meal, a walk in the park, or an unexpected twinkle in Dad’s eye after someone made a crass joke. Sometimes I even tell him stories about my love life that I’d ordinarily keep buried inside to elicit a laugh.

Moments like these have always been part of our lives. But their unassuming nature makes it easy for them to slip past unnoticed. There’s something about living with the uncertainty of Parkinson’s that sharpens your appreciation for the present. When you stop assuming that tomorrow will look exactly like today, the small victories begin to matter more.

A symptom-free morning or a well-absorbed dose of medication becomes a quiet event to appreciate. A family gathering where the conversation leaves Parkinson’s in the background is enough to elicit joy.

I’d bury Parkinson’s in a deep grave 100 times over if I could. I don’t think anyone would willingly choose the relentless challenges that the condition brings. But I also think that it has a remarkable way of shifting perspective. Now, more than ever, it reminds us to pay attention and find joy in the ordinary moments of our lives.

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.