On Sunday September 8^th the Rev It Up for Parkinson Walk/Run/Bike occurred. My daughter contacted a friend of hers who does silk screening and had special T-shirts made.

This year has been special in many ways.

At the beginning of the year Cheryl was in a memory care facility and was also being cared for by Queen City hospice. On April 22^nd, she left this life for another.

She missed her 75^th birthday by a couple weeks. I made no note in my journal about her birthday. I was down on that day. It was only a few days after I buried her.

I think about her often. Little things will go by in the day and my first inclination is to look over where she should be – in her chair at home, on the passenger side of the car, in the kitchen – to ask her about what she thinks or how she feels about it. Whatever it is.

My birthday came and went. I went to visit with my sister. I wanted to see her but I also think I did not want to be without someone on my birthday. Birthdays were a big deal to Cheryl and she made everyone around her understand why that day was important.

Our wedding anniversary came and went. I wrote her a letter. Writing it seemed to help me a little.

This walk/run was a favorite fundraiser of hers. I felt a little lost on Sunday. Last year she was unable to get moving to be there for the walk. Our family went without us. Over time Parkinson’s disease will peter you out.

I purposely work to remember her before the disease petered her out.

Afterward I used part of the afternoon to ride my bike for a bit. I thought about how she would have wanted to be with everyone. I thought about what a loving and kind person Cheryl was. I thought about how she would try to (her words) make sure everyone was satisfied and doing well.

I think that I was not doing well. I had not thought about that until my sister called in the evening to chat about how it all went. We talked for a while. I told her it was good and it was fun. I was at my son’s house and he had just asked me if Mom had ever actually walked the whole walk. I said no and was in the midst of memories of us walking when we used to hike. I had some videos of Cheryl on my phone and was looking at her Parkinson stride when my sister called.

Thanks, Joyce. I needed you right then and did not know it.

Carpe Diem