Parkinson's: Be Kind

 

A Journey into Parkinson's with Nancy Mellon

Coordinated by Corrine Bayraktaroglu

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is carrying a great burden.”

“When you follow that dictum, it’s like a little magic trick. Suddenly you can imagine others out there who will do the same for you when you’re at your hardest moment, when you’re acting your worst—when it’s Friday the 13th and you’re in urgent care yet again for transplant complications, waiting for the morphine to arrive, and you snap at your dad for packing two pajama tops and forgetting the bottoms (highly specific example that was absolutely, certainly not at all me, cough cough).” from the Isolation Journals by Suleika Jaouad

Corrine found a Community Journal-on the front it said- “Be Kind. A Community Journal.”  It was left out for anyone to add a comment to.  I thought that was a splendid idea and bought a plain  journal to leave out in Yellow Springs, my wonderful community.  I haven't left it out yet, I want to put some art on the front and write the first entry that explains the journal.  I found a largish zip lock bag to put it and a pen in, if I choose to leave it out side on a bench.  I am trying to figure out where to leave it.  Maybe at The Emporium, a local cafe, that has books for people to read, and a piano for anyone to sit down and play. It's been called our community's living room. 

 So what does explain the journal's purpose?  For me, it is another way of  making connections, gathering close to each other. It is easy to feel separated, especially during a pandemic or with a chronic disease. I cherish the moments that I feel connected to others. Lately, I have been noticing that there is something about having Parkinson's that makes me sometimes feel separated from others. I worry about my growing more separate as time goes by and I have more Parkinson's problems to deal with. As I say this, I know I am not alone in this worry. It is so with aging and any long term disease, mental or physical. As I become harder to be with who will want to be by my side? This seems like such a selfish concern.  But it is a concern. Please God, let me be a smiling old lady. (I don't think of myself as an old lady yet:)

 The great news is Corrine is coming for a visit at the end of June.  I'll wait to put the journal out until she comes, that gives me a deadline and we get to do it together which is the best!

 

I am making new connections every day, through this blog (thank you for being here) and Pam's wonderful Parkinson's Singing group, Jill's fabulous PD Dance group and Bethany's marvelous Exercise group! Thank you for all the ways you make connection's for us all.

 I also am in the beginning stages of planning a Walnut St. Newsletter, to get to know the neighbors on our block better. I always have plans!

May you have a wonderful day,

Nancy & the Snark

Footnotes From Corrine

I so remember that day I found that Be Kind journal on the bench with sprinkles of glitter next to it. I was having a hard morning and Mr.B and I were taking a walk around the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert Arizona.  I read the messages and it helped me snap out  of my mood and enjoy the sparkles and leave my own kind words. 

I can't wait to see you petal and help leave a Be Kind journal in my beloved village.