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
“Slow down, you move too fast”
By Sheryl Jedlinski
This past weekend, we celebrated our granddaughter Parker’s second birthday. Oh what a difference a year makes. Having the opportunity to watch her grow and become her own person is a gift I never take for granted nor tire of. She is the best of both her father and her mother.
Gone is the baby who at her first birthday party was content to sit in her high chair and watch things happen around her. Now a toddler with ideas of her own, Parker talks a blue streak and likes to direct the action.
Her favorite past time is caring for her baby dolls, all of whom have names she never forgets. She is proof that “children learn what they live.” She pushes her babies around the house in their wooden pram, feeds and burps them, reads to them, rocks them to sleep in her arms, and puts them to bed with a whispered “sweet dreams.” When not busy with her babies, Parker loves to do yoga and cook beside mama, dance to “kids’ music” and go to the park with dada. She also enjoys playing trains with Grandpa, and X-Box bowling with me, squealing with delight and high five-ing me when I knock the pins down. We are each other’s biggest fans.
I am torn between wanting Parker to stay little forever and imagining all the exciting things she will do and places she will go in her lifetime. I share with her the wisdom of the 1960’s folk duo, Simon and Garfunkel: “Slow down, you move too fast. I want to make our (time together) last.” While Parker is too young to appreciate this sentiment, I am too old not to. Living with Parkinson’s disease and advanced stage, recurrent cancer, I am all too aware of how quickly the days, weeks, months, and years fly by.
From the moment my son showed his trust in me by placing hours old Parker in my arms, I was forever changed. She brings new heights of love, laughter and joy to my life. My commitment to be there for her no matter what drives my motivation to get up every morning and keep fighting the good fight.
As Simon and Garfunkel sang: “Life I love you, all is groovy.”
3 comments on ““Slow down, you move too fast””
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Living Well with Parkinsons Disease 
What a special day and celebration. I feel confident there will be more memories to make for you and Parker and your entire beautiful family…tem
I fully understand your deep love and enjoyment of Parker, slow down life, moving way too fast, I agree,
I am blessed with four grandchildren, each one special, I treasure the moments with them, praying for your health❣️
You are the most exquisite writer. I only wish I could express my feelings even a fraction of the way you do. As you know I share completely the joys my two grandsons give me, just loving any time I can get to be with them. Prayers for improvements with you health always dear friend.