I’m not old, I’m young,  I’m only 49!
Parkinson’s since ‘96, that’s a long time.
Some describe living with Parkinson’s this way…
It’s like adding 25 years to your age they say.
So maybe I know something of being 74
Of the fun of growing old with all that’s in store.

My hair has been thin, no it’s been gone for many years
I  have grown sentimental – easily shedding  tears.
My physique has also grown bigger, yes, even more
The word physique to describe my shape that would be lore
My joints ache and are slow and stiff
An empty bench at the mall, oh what a gift!

There are some other things, observations that I want to share
The body changes as we age, no one said it was fair
Fiber and water mixed in a glass…to gulp  not to sip
When some things should stop…they continue to dripare not
Things that should be stiff…seems it forgot
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up… I laughed at the funny ad
Now I get up slow and groaning… sounding really bad
Things aren’t where they used to be…they’ve moved down a tad

I have developed a softer me…I think muscle was just a fad
Loose skin, wrinkles and lines…I guess it shows you’re thin
I have added a few pounds…soon ‘lll have a double chin
Now all these things do happen to all of us
Don’t get so upset, don’t make such a fuss
It doesn’t really matter, it really is no big deal
When you step back and think about life and what is important, what is real

THE WAYS OF THE WORLD ARE USUALLY WRONG AND MIS-DIRECTED
The Holy Spirit is the only source of truth I’ve detected
Jesus loves you is what I came to say
He loves us as we are, right this moment, this very day

First there was a tremor in my left hand
Then my leg became weak I couldn’t understand
My passion had always been working out at the “Y”
My goal – being in shape until the day I would die
I was always strong, lifted lots of weight
Now my body was deteriorating, was that my fate?
Parkinsons hit me when I was 41 years old
Most victims are over 60, or so I am told
Prior to knowing for sure what I had
I didn’t think I could handle it, I would always be sad.
It was taking my life’s dreams, taking all that I knew.
There was no cure, there was nothing I could do.
I would say that I was scared, but it was more than that.
I was lost, no direction, on the doctors table I just sat.
The doctor said, you have Parkinson’s Disease I think.
I expected my heart to fall and my soul to really sink.
But at that moment I experienced God at work in my life
He gave me peace and comfort, He took all my strife.
I had confidence, I knew it was going to be ok.
I could live with Parkinson’s in my life every day.
God has been there for me all the while.
Each day is a great day, I can always smile.
God has not taken the Parkinson’s away,
But through it He has blessed me each and every day.

In the early morning I realize I’m awake.
My whole body is in a tremor, all over I shake.
I rise out of bed using my arms, I’m really slow.
I stand and try to walk I want to get up and go.
My feet seem attached, stuck to the floor.
Once I get moving I’m stopped at the door.
As I move through the house from banister to chest.
I “lurch” along from doorway to desk.
It is like my legs and feet don’t belong to me.
They just sit there and shake, I don’t seem to have the key.
I take my meds, the morning dose is eight pills.
Swallowing 22 every day, oh what thrills.
Will it work this morning, I wonder and wait.
When it works, it sets me free, it is so great.
I never know if it will work, or when it will stop.
I keep my cane with me, it makes a good prop.
My writing is not good, can’t read what I write.
I cough when I eat, my “swallower” doesn’t work just right.
Each day, week and month things continue to change,
Living with Parkinson’s, physical abilities are short range.
Since I have lived with this disease over the years,
God has been there with peace and comfort, he has taken away the tears
It can’t say I’m glad to have Parkinson’s affecting me,
But God has used it to teach me about life’s real blessings, it is great to clearly see.