Jumping High

Today, I turn 45. And as with every birthday that I celebrate, I allow myself to be a bit emotional (okay, maybe a lot). 

I guess this comes from the fact that I am really getting older. More so, because I am getting closer to that ripe golden age of 50 and I'm in a mad dash to accomplish so much on my bucket list.

Being diagnosed in 2007 with Young Onset of Parkinson's Disease, a degenerative disorder that affects motor skills, all the more cemented the deal for me not to waste any more time in ticking off my must do's and must have's. Characterized by tremors of the hands and limbs, PD can be quite disabling. Simple, everyday tasks that most take for granted such as walking, cooking, hand writing, and typing require a lot of effort from me. 

My medication helps to give me a couple of hours a day to be productive, but it's never enough. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that a day is never enough even for the best of us, what more a couple of hours, so you understand my dilemma. My daily activities, most especially those that require me to step out of the house are always planned in time with the effectivity of my medication. And because, I can hardly be spontaneous, I have learned to value time- every second and every minute counts.

One of the reasons I got Bianca to start this blog with me is because I wanted both of us to have a happy place. A place where we could record beautiful memories together. She sees me struggling with the disease every day and this blog is proof that despite challenges, disabilities and ill health anyone can live a life full of love and laughter. And this is exactly my goal. To live the life I deserve, with grace and with dignity.

I started dabbling in writing as a therapeutic as well as creative outlet a couple of years back. Sharing with you excerpts from a personal article I wrote sometime in 2011.

My 12 year old daughter and I have this bedtime ritual where we update each other on our respective days. This usually ends in fits of laughter as we tell each other funny stories and jokes. In one of these occasions, she blurts out quite honestly, "Mom, how can you  laugh the way that you do? If I were as sick as you are, I don't know how I could ever be happy".

There are so many things I am thankful for. I am blessed with the boundless love of family and friends. The kind of love I would have never known had I not been in this situation. I have met some truly amazing and inspiring people along the way. I have dreams and aspirations. I have goals to fulfill. And I have my faith to hold on to. All these things, Parkinson's Disease can never take away from me. And that is more than enough to keep me smiling and to keep the laughter coming.

This photo was taken last weekend after Sunday mass. Bianca found it weird that I wanted to have a jumping shot. "Why not? No one's ever too old to have a jumping shot, right?"  :)

Thank you for taking the time to read this birthday post of mine. Let's all seize the day and make every moment count.