Live Life Each Day With Parkinson’s

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand…and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. ~Marie Beynon Ray

Students in a sewing class, a woman with a cane, and a glittering Christmas tree brooch help prepare me for living life with Parkinson’s.

Live Life Each Day

In the late 1970s, I taught adult education sewing classes in the club house of retirement communities. Most of my students were at least 60-years-old. I learned more from them than they probably learned from me. I adored them. One of their lessons has resonated with me throughout my life. Over and over, they encouraged me to live life each day. They advised to avoid putting things off to someday I will (fill in the blank). Someday may never come. Or when it does, it is not how you envisioned. Unfortunately, they were living examples of shattered dreams. Some of the women lost their husbands soon after retiring to Florida. Others cared for their husbands or struggled with their own health issues. For many, the dream vacations and retirement adventures evaporated.

Angels All Around

Always a Conversation Piece

In December of 2012, a friendly lady around 75-years-old started a conversation with me at a local restaurant. Our tables were about an arm length apart. I was wearing a vintage Christmas tree brooch which she admired.  That led to a long discussion about my brooch collection. When she stood up to leave, she paused, looked at me and said, “do what you want while you can.” She walked out with the aid of a cane. I could not get the woman and her goose bump advice off my mind for days. I’d wake up in the middle of the night thinking about her and asking myself “have I been doing what I want?”  My former students’ advice from the sewing classes replayed over and over. “Live life each day.” Did I follow the advice of my adult students?

The Heavenly Message

I believed the friendly lady was an angel bringing me a life changing message. The comforting answer came a few nights later. You are given all the time to do what God intended.

In June of 2013, I semi-retired, taught online classes from home, and started an eBay business. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eleven months later. Today I still believe I have been given all the time to do what God intended:

• to educate,
• to inspire
• to give hope

through Parkinson’s My Way….Creativity in Motion website and blog.

Blessings!

Linda

Photo Credit:  Linda A. Mohr