Stay Strong

When you are feeling Blue
and you don't know what to do
Please try to stay strong,
you've done nothing wrong

Do something different for a change.
So your not always doing the same
Most of the time when we are blue
We need a friend or two.

Some people may be afraid
to be with you and me.
For fear that we could fall
Making them feel guilty through it all.

We are strong, so come along
You are worth it, yes you are
You are our number one star!

There are times in public I feel like a fool

There are times in public I feel like a fool

as I bend over I begin to drool.

I am shuffling more often as I walk

My voice is softer as I talk

When I was visiting our daughter

I didn't make it to the rest room.

Thank goodness it happened there

and not in public somewhere.

I have fallen a few times on the dance floor

I get up and dance a little bit more

I have been in a store

When I fell on their floor

Fortunately, I am able to get up

Knowing that I'll be sore for sure

I am loosing my balance a little more

My tremors don't show, unless I am stressed

Ridding myself of Parkinson's is my quest.

I truly feel that everything will be alright

Since, I am dedicated to continue to fight!

Family & Friends

The love for my family and friends

is what life is all about.

If there is no one ever in your life.

It's like living with no water in a drought.

Love from my family and friends never ends.
I am accepted with my disease
They treat me with dignity, 
I feel so at ease. 

With friends and family, we have  fun
Sometimes we have dinner or sit and talk 
I have a difficult time, if we went for a walk.
Being together, it's like hitting a home run!

I Try So Hard

I try so hard to do whatever I can to overcome this disease
By meditating, exercising and combating those blues,
A healthy diet, and taking my medicines helps considerably.
I will not quit and live my life miserably.

I have problems with a slow pace and a shuffle when I walk
Sounds funny but when I hear music and feel the beat
I can dance and I see people with disbelief as they gawk.
Music enlightens my day
Making me feel happy in so many ways

I try to do everything that I possibly can
But then there are times, I need a helping hand
Occasionally,  I loose my balance and fall
I hit hard, fortunately no broken bones at all.

My voice is softer and as the day goes by
the sound becomes a whisper and my mouth is quite dry.
If only there was a way to put on the brakes
I'd do exactly as I am doing for pete's sake.

You are an Inspiration!

You are an inspiration, dear friend of mine.
Acting as if all were just fine.
Having Parkinson's disease, you continue to suffer.
You always show that you are tougher.

On the days that are bad, you still are able to cope
Your strength has always been your faith and hope.
Every challenge you face.You do it with such grace.

You have taught me so much throughout the years
It has helped to take away many of my fears.

God has blessed me, by having you in my life
You are so special, we have never had any strife.

You told me how precious life is to you,
There is no time for those Parkinson's blues

Take a moment and listen to the sounds of nature.
It is so relaxing and so calming to hear.
God is full of love and there is nothing to fear

Imagination

We all have our ups and downs and twists and turns
But that is only occasionally, I have no concerns.
I like to use my imagination to dream once more

I would act like a child,
I'd swing high up into the sky
Feeling all jittery and wild
I would be an eagle, soaring up high.

There is nothing wrong with dreaming
to brighten your day, without feeling demeaning.

I act on some of the things I can
I have been on a swing
and it was a fun thing.
It wasn't even a plan.

I enjoy warm weather
I get around a little better
When I say hi to someone with a smile,

it seems to brighten their day 

and makes me feel good inside as well.

My way of overcoming this thing
I try to focus on being me

and not Parkinson's disease.

We are all different on how PD effects you and
 how we live with this disease.
These are things I do and it may not work for you.
I am not in anyway here to judge you- I care.

Togetherness

Larry & Me

Spencer

As the sun shines in the morning, waking me
I lay for a moment, saying thank you to thee
It's a glorious day, as I look to see
My maltese staring back at me

I feel so blessed, to have such love
From my family and friends
and of course my service dog.

You bring light to my days
just like the bright sun
How can one thank you
for all that you have done.

We have been together all of these years
We have held on to each other when life gives us fears
We have shared laughter and yes, tears

You help me when I need you, without complaining
I know at times you worry so, it has to be draining.
You are the reason I do all I can, to overcome this thing 
called Parkinson's disease.



My husband Larry and I have been married 49 years this coming August
We began dating in 1963. We have 2 children and 4 grandchildren and our furbaby, my service dog Spencer.

When life is filled with a progressive disease

When life is filled with a progressive disease
I pray for strength to do what is necessary
to overcome it's power over me.
I embrace life with a smile
to help me overcome the pain for a while.
I do my daily exercises today
It helps to ease the stiffness away

Thanking God for today, as well as what's ahead.
The joy I share with others I like to spread
by giving them a hug and a friendly smile.
I often think of others, that's my style.

I will never give up, or just quit.
There are times I get aggravated
But then I get over it lickety split.

I love life and my family
I try always to live happily.
Not knowing what tomorrow will be.
I live life to the fullest, that is truly me.

I Believe in Laughter and being Happy

I am thankful to be here another day.
Even in pain, I may feel a little grey
I believe in laughter and being happy
Instead of being negative and crabby
Life is too short to feel sorry for myself
I believe in the power to help oneself
I know I have limits to what I can do
I love life too much to sit and be blue.

I try each day to move my legs and feet.
I may shuffle as I walk and I will never compete
But I enjoy being with others that can be upbeat
I try to golf and often miss the ball
I would be better off going to the Mall.

There are times I freeze and times I fall
but at least I'm still here, hunched over and all.

The Power of Positive Energy

I do believe in the power of positive energy

It gives me strength to do what is necessary

I exercise and meditate each morning

Before I begin my exploring

I am hoping to see nature at it's best

I wonder if the owls have finished their nest.

As I walk around and I see the gator floating by

I see a crane flying high in the sky.

While I was walking home, I felt so blessed.

I was full of life and felt full of zest.

Smiling, I say hello to an elderly lady

as I stop to talk, she said her body was achy, 

it was going to be a rainy afternoon.

The clouds rolled in and the rain began

I decided to make a cake with pecans.

and a card for a neighbor

Pecans is what she prefers

I stopped by to visit with her

She will soon have an operation

and in the beginning be in isolation

I told her how much I care.

and together we said a prayer.

Happiness

Happiness is a feeling most of us can achieve
Upon waking up, Thank God for what we received
We breathe oxygen, this is something we share
Don't forget there are people that truly care

Life may be a struggle and often hard
There are so many obstacles to keep you on guard
Always remember to be careful not to fall
Don't be negative and build a wall

There is so much beauty that nature surrounds
So much to see with wonderful sounds
Take each moment and look for joy
Thoughtful energy gives us so much more.
When you smile, it lights up your face
Your happiness is what we want to embrace.

We have different problems

We are the ones with all different problems.

But there is one thing we have in common,

That's Parkinson's disease.

We may be ordinary people with this disease

or famous for all to see.

We try to do all that we can

Even if we don't have a plan.

We are young, middle age or elderly. 

Taking up a lot of our energy.

Some of us can't move too well, 

and we may have to sit a spell

We have daily struggles, some with so much pain.

Our body and mind, are constantly drained.

You may see some with tremors,

while others seem slow to remember

A few show no symptoms for you to see.

We are in this together you and me.

Sing several times a day!

I often sing several times a day.
It is my way of chasing the blues away
When I sing a melody that's uplifting
It helps me to feel so comforting.
I realize singing helps to ease my pain.
There is nothing to loose and everything to gain.
It relieves my stress and gives me happiness.
Some songs sound so glorious.
Songs have the power to help us heal
It is wonderful how it makes us feel
I struggle with my quavering voice.
Sometimes it's normal and other times it's so low
I practice daily, this is my choice
I wish it would flow and I could rejoice.
No matter what the outcome brings
I will always continue to sing

Letting Other's Know You Care

I thought I heard sirens, I didn't know for certain

I looked out my window, as I moved my curtain.

There is an ambulance at Miss Tess's home

She lives alone, no family of her own.

How long has it been, since I saw her last?

I feel so guilty, I won't let this pass

There are times when someone may be giving up on life

They may be ill, or lonely and think that no one cares

There is no use to argue, I don't want to cause strife

I am at the hospital because I care and I want to share

my feelings about how special you truly are.

Looking out the window, we saw a shooting star.

A tender touch by holding Miss Tess's hand, a tender smile

The shooting star only comes once in awhile.

Miss Tess, I am so sorry for not being there for you.

I think of you as a special friend,

Can we start all over again.

I bent over and kissed her on the cheek

and she began to speak, 

I will be going home soon to be with my family up above

"You are my special friend, I was sent from God to see

Who would come and be with me."

As Miss Tess, closed her eyes and took her last breath.

A nurse ran in, and said to me, I'm sorry, she 's gone.

The nurse said, Miss Tess asked me to give you this, when she passed.

I sat down, with tears and then I opened up the note 

that Miss Tess wrote,

It read:

          Margie,

I knew it would be you.

Please don't feel sad or blue 

I will remember the warmth you gave to me

The talks and laughter we shared in such a loving way.

You always made me feel so good each and every day.

I knew at times you were unable to stop by

But I always knew if something happened, 

you would be by my side

Always remember the special shooting star 

we shared  earlier today

You never let me down.

Until we see one another someday

I will always remember how loving you are.

Loving friend,

Tess

Written by Margie Rogers Swope

You Are Special!

You are special, yes you are. Just as special as a movie star!

Each day that you awake

Thank God for heaven's sake

You are special, yes you are

Just as special as a movie star.

Life is something, you've been blessed, 

Choice is yours, choose your quest. 

Follow your passions, and you'll be fine, 

With the positive thinking, you will shine

Take some time and try to play

Making memories every single day.

Please don't sit and just complain

Erase negativity from your brain

Live life as if it could be your last

With friends and family, let's have a blast.