Disruption of Routine

It’s morning, slept in, it’s 6:15 am.

Normally up at 5 to do my routine.

So today will be a day of exceptions

from a daily routine carved from a

everchanging reality as PD takes

and gives what it will today.

As my wife makes coffee,

I put on the news.

More of viruses and vaccines,

wildfires and floods, nothing new.

I try to crowd my 2-hour routine

into the 45 minutes before 7am

to be back on track for today.

The fiber laxative, oatmeal,

with fresh blueberries and maple syrup

will sustain me till noon with only

a few minutes for breakfast to settle

before the better part of nine prescriptions

completes my morning routine.

A fresh cup of coffee from my wife

greets me in front of the news.

We watch the world in chaos

as my body slowly comes alive

with cramps and stiffness diminish

as another day with PD begins.

Pill box needs replenishing,

emails must be checked,

anything new on Facebook?

Kitchen is a mess, office too!

My wife needs to leave for work.

The dogs need to go for a walk

and I need my exercise today too!

Still an hour behind in my routine.

Where to start to save the day?

Replenish pill box after 10am.

Adjust the walking plans,

my wife takes the dogs.

I’ll do my walking now!

Got as far as the cedar bench

Rain has started to fall.

Adjust again, head home!

Past by the Gilbert’s farm

His wife has Parkinson’s.

He struggles to put her wheelchair

Into the back of the SUV.

Adjust again, go help him!

I cross the road to give him a hand

He nods and smiles in appreciation.

We exchange a few words.

It makes my day!

Sometimes the little things

make you feel grateful

for what you have as

being gracious to others.

I walk on as less rain falls.

Do I turn around or go home?

See Simon walking his dogs.

We stop and talk, his friend has PD,

Struggling with joints freezing.

Another opportunity to help.

As this day of exceptions

continues to evolve,

I like the turn of events!

Now embracing disruption

as a creator of opportunity

so my world with PD revolves.

By Joe van Koeverden