Holidays are here and it is always nice to receive a thoughtful present from a loved one. It is very difficult for a Parkinson's person with a caregiver always at his side to find that special present for a loved one without their being aware of what you are getting them. So where is the surprise there?
Being tactfully duplicit with an adult child may be the answer, or in some cases, grandchildren are old enough to provide the service. So careful planning is the answer to the equation.
Holidays are a stressful time, and these minor little difficulties put additional stress on us and the unrelenting PD doesn't ease up for the sake of the holiday season. To get around all this, early planning seems to be the answer for me. My caregiver/wife provides so many services for me throughout the year that it is very difficult not to want to give her the world on Christmas Day. But we find that when we look at each other, we don't need much. We have the essentials and we have each other. Anything else is gravy, as they say.
My hopes and wishes for this holiday season are to find all my Parkinson's friends and caregivers having a wonderful holiday season surrounded by their family and friends.
Pat, I could so relate to this post. Being a P.D. patient too, I know that empty feeling of not being able to get in the car and drive myself to the mall and shop privately for a suitable gift. Particularly for my dear spouse and caregiver. I think your post was meant to point a greater message and that was what encouraged me. The love shared is all we could possibly need during the holidays. I am one to shop online, and not being able to go alone has brought me to some special moments with sons who have taken me shopping for gifts for their mother. I have special memories of my grown boys pushing me in a wheelchair and helping me pick out some earrings or a sweater. Ah, the love that is felt in those moments also brings me back to your words about the essentials. I agree-- the rest is gravy. Dan
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