Wishing you a Happy New Year 2016 !

Our Life with Parkinson's disease, sometimes is difficult to cope

For me, it is through different therapies that have given me hope

Deep inside, I feel my strength growing, I could never give in

Call me hardheaded or stubborn, but I will fight until my end

Each day I exercise, meditate and do what I feel I can do

I do what is necessary to stop those Parkinson's blues

What works for me, may not work for you

But unless you try, you may not know what you can do

Let's start the New Year right, let's fight this disease we share

I know for me, exercise helps to keep me out of my wheel chair

Even those who can not stand, you can sit and exercise

This will give you strength, you may be surprised

You may feel that you are taking control of your situation

It's better than having Parkinson's give you nothing but frustration.

So put a smile on your face, this is the beginning of a new year

Just remember, we are in this together, there is nothing to fear.

When Santa met Jesus

I copied this from Penny Parker's page It is beautiful.

May you have a very Merry Christmas!

When Santa Claus met Jesus Christ,
So the story goes ...
He bowed his head, and then he said,
"Dear Lord, I need to know."

"Every year I fill my sleigh,
With lots and lots of toys,
And I fly high across the sky,
Delivering them with joy."

"I get letters from the children,
They ask for many things,
And so hard I try to satisfy,
With each toy that I bring."
"It is my mission every year,
To reach each child I can,
To leave love and joy with every toy,
As I fly throughout the land."

"But lately, Lord, I'm wondering,
Am I doing wrong,
To drive my sleigh on Your Birthday,
And hear cute Santa songs?"
"I'm troubled, for there is no way
I would invade your territory,
I'd feel very bad, if I made you sad,
I do not seek such glory."

So then the Lord ... who's very wise,
Spoke to Santa's heart direct,
"You're a necessary emissary,
You are one of my elect."
"I'm pleased to see your jolly self,
Make so many children smile;
I, too, rejoice for girls and boys,
And I feel you're most worthwhile."

"On my birthday, years ago,
In the manger where I lay,
You bowed to me on bended knee,
You, too, were born that day."
"Dear Santa Claus, I've chosen you,
My First Ambassador of Cheer,
Please celebrate on my birth date,
And do this every year."

"You're a blessed fantasy and dream,
And you're essential on this earth,
You're a needed part in all men's hearts,
Of everlasting childlike mirth."

~ Virginia (Ginny) Ellis ~
Copyright © 2000

http://www.pennyparker2.com/thelord.html

http://www.graphicsbypennyparker.com/

Poor Me.

Christmas is the time of year

A time of magic and wonder, seems to appear

Our wishes and dreams could come true

A time we hope we don't get those blues

I see the sparkle in children eyes

I say to myself, why can't I

I have a lot of warmth in my heart

Sometimes I feel like I am falling apart

I look in the mirror and say to myself

what in the world, get hold of yourself

Christmas is a time to be joyful

So lets be happy and delightful

Our family and friends will be here soon

It's time to get out of that "pity me" mood

I go into the room and say a prayer

I felt such love and warmth everywhere

Oh! dear Lord forgive me, please

I had a moment that is just not me

Thank you Lord for making me see.

A CHRISTMAS STORY TO REMEMBER

I saw this on Facebook and wanted to share by Carolyn Elmore‎

 to McDowell, Mercer & Monroe Counties, WV Genealogy

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas.

We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible.

I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. 

But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what..

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed.

"I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked. Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.

My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough.

Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, Whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

Alone

Often you hear of how many people are at home all alone

They sit and wait, hoping, someone would call on the phone

The long days of just sitting and nothing to do

Would make anyone feel quite blue.

I say to anyone that is down in the dumps and feeling blue

You can pick up the phone, just like anyone else can do

If you can, go for a walk or visit a friend

This will make you happy in the end

If you know someone living alone

or they may be in a nursing home

Go visit them, showing that you care

Don't you have a little time to spare?

The special moments that you spend

Could be the start of a wonderful trend

Our Christmas Party

Saturday evening was our neighborhood Christmas Party
We talked and laughed a little loud and hearty
It began with the Acapelican's singing Christmas songs
Some of us joined in singing right along.

The food was quite delicious
It was so scrumptious

The entertainment was a wonderful singer
To many of us, thought he was a winner.
Listening to the music is so fun and sweet
When I hear my songs, it makes me move my feet
We danced like we were young again
I didn't have to use my cane.

After so many songs and dances,
I didn't want to take any chances
I haven't fallen, and I am getting tired
It's time to say goodnight, and go home to retire.

What an Uplifting Day!

Small Alligator

A small alligator floated by to see what I was doing
I was out on my pool deck and just viewing
I saw that he was curious, thinking something was brewing
As I took the picture, the light flashed and the alligator went under
It splashed so hard it sounded like thunder

Egret

Then I saw the beautiful egret and took it's picture as well

I love watching god's beauty, I think I’ll sit a spell

Then the grey heron was within feet of me

How blessed I am to see.

Grey Heron

This has been an uplifting day

Thanking the Lord as I pray!

Breathe

The other day my husband, Larry and I were at gathering

All of a sudden, I couldn't breath, I was staggering

My throat muscle went into spasms and locked-up

Larry began the Heimlich maneuver and I felt my throat pop

I could breathe again, I thought it was the end.

Friends were right by my side

It brought tears to my eyes  

I was shook up, but felt so blessed

The caring and love I felt, is hard to express

But I know in my heart, this is was gift from above

Joanne and Carol, you both are angels with so much love

You both were by my side until we left

Thank you, Joanne and Carol you are the best! 

HUGS TO YOU BOTH

With Parkinson's - You Don't Have To Be Old

With Parkinson's, you don't have to be old

It's like being on a roller coaster... with our highs and lows

I laugh and sometimes cry 

Sometimes I ask, why

I try to overcome these poor me feelings

By being honest and revealing

I do my best to be up beat

Music can help get me up on my feet

I try to act normal, when going to an event

Sometimes I freeze, as if I stepped into cement.

Sometimes I drool, just like a little baby

Some People probably think I'm crazy.

There are times I am dancing and all seems fine

I loose my balance and fall, as if I had too much wine.

I get up and dance a little more

I know tomorrow, I will be sore

I like to have fun, and it's worth it, that's for sure.

Days

There are days I just want to say  
Dear Lord take this pain away
I exercise through it with the love of Christ
Christ showed his love with all he sacrificed
Thank you Lord for this day
I am here because you let me stay.
I can not worry about what will be
Each time I take a step, I feel so free
I went for a walk and saw so many people
As the bell rang from the Church steeple
I stopped by to visit a sick neighbor
It makes me feel good by doing a favor
I brought her soup and some crackers too
She was getting over the stomach flu
I follow my heart and my intuition
I know that is my number one mission

Thank you dear Lord!

Thank you for the days I am here
I appreciate my families, I hold so dear
When I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
My husband Larry and you,  dear Lord were with me.
You gave me strength and power to foresee
When I had my stroke, you were with me
Through hard work and courage I was able to conquer it
I realized that without you, I could never be able to win.
Thank you dear Heavenly Father.

I feel so blessed to have you with me
I am thankful for the people I meet
The friends that I have, including my on-line friends.
I will value their friendship forever, until the very end.

Thank you for giving me the love of caring for others
Without you, why would I even bother.
My love of life is within me, to carry on
Even when I fall and get up each and every morn

Thank you !

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is here, so our minds have turned

To what time has taught us, to what we've learned

We are grateful for our family and friends

As well as our Parkinson's and Facebook friends

Our love is with them, even at the very end

So many memories we have made

All the towns and cities we have stayed.

Seeing nature like it use to be

It would be nice if all could see

The grizzly bears with their young

And the beaver building a dam so strong

Sitting on the lanai and feeling the breeze

Watching the alligator floating along, so free


Remembering my first Parkinson's Unity Walk

In Central Park, enjoying the people as we talked


We wish you a Thanksgiving you'll never forget,

Full of love and joy—your best one yet!

Dear Lord, We give our thanks to thee.

For always being with you and me.