I had lunch with a dear friend whom I haven’t seen in eight years. He’s developed Parkinson’s – I suspect as a consequence of a severe concussion he got when he slipped and fell in his driveway.
When I last saw him, he was wearing an odd-looking pair of glasses to correct his double vision, and he had a mild tremor. I’m sure everyone thought at that point that he was on the mend and the worst of the accident was behind him.
An accident caused, as my personal-injury lawyer friend would say, “without contributory negligence!” – to frankly, one of the smartest, kindest people outside my immediate family that I’ve ever met.
We had lunch weekly for almost ten years. We didn’t agree much in those early years about politics. In my mind, he’s always been a staunch liberal – but not for his own sake! His interest has always been in leveling the playing field for people not able (for whatever reason!) to provide for and protect themselves.
Some would say that my friend is an earthy-crunchy kinda guy. THIS is the guy whom Mother Nature, Karma, or Whatever-you-call-it decides to saddle with Parkinson’s?! Yeah – there really seems to be no justice.
Buddy, you probably won’t, but I encourage you to tag yourself somehow herein so that anyone reading this can follow you online. I’m honored to call you a dear friend – and equally saddened for you Pal. May Whatever-YOU-call-it level your playing field before you pass-on from this realm.
Remember the Samurai who lived a lifetime in the last few minutes of his life – literally, as was he was walking through a garden on his way to the spot where he was about to formally commit Hari-kari. His senses came alive: he smelled the dampness in the air; everything appeared brighter, crisper; he heard his own soft footfalls; and felt the gentle wind against his skin.
Buddy – be the Samurai. I love you.
Here’s a link to a Parkinson’s blog about the benefits of meditating. May you know your own source of solace and comfort always.
