Living Well with Parkinsons Disease
Dancing in the Rain: Lessons Learned on my Personal Journey with PD (more at www.PDPlan4Life.com) Copyright 2013-20 Sheryl Jedlinski
In sickness and in health
It was a Cinderella wedding, with every detail, big and small, considered and orchestrated well in advance, with the help of a professional wedding planner. Nothing was left to chance; nothing could go awry… unlike real life, which rarely goes according to plan. The bride and groom made a striking couple as they exchanged vows before 200+ family members and friends. When they promised to be there for each other “in sickness and in health,” tears rolled down my face, as if I were hearing those words for the very first time. I hadn’t expected this reaction from myself.
When I married my college sweetheart almost 39 years ago, I was a “child bride,” 11 days shy of my 21st birthday. Tony was not much older than I. Life seemed full of endless possibilities, like blank journal pages waiting to be written on. Young and healthy, we felt invincible. We never allowed for the possibility that chronic illness could come along at any time, challenging our idyllic vision of our future together, and testing our commitment to each other. There is nothing romantic about a progressively debilitating illness.
For the first half of our marriage, our lives revolved around our two sons. The years flew by, and they are grown now, leaving us alone in the house we built so long ago for our family. Savoring our many “remember whens” deepens our love for each other and strengthens our resolve to face the challenges we know lie ahead. Knowing that Tony will be beside me, as he’s been since the day we met, gives me the strength to keep up the good fight.
Singer/songwriter Debi Smith best expresses my feelings:
“Marry me again; come and hold me tight.
When I see you smiling, I don’t need the light.
I love you even more now – than I loved you then.
Come and make me happier still–marry me again.”
5 comments on “In sickness and in health”
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Read more of Sheryl’s humorous stories and helpful tips at PDPlan4Life.com
Living Well with Parkinsons Disease 
Thank you for sharing. That was beautiful. Joby
O.k now I am crying!
Really hit home, so well written
We are very proud of you and your choice of the best husband. I couldn’t hand pick a better one.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Sheryl – somehow I stumbled into this. God bless you in your battle with Parkinson’s. You and Tony always were a very much ‘in love’ couple. Beautiful picture of you both today.
Eileen Monaco