I was sitting here pottering around on my computer and I received a message from my ex-sister-in-law. She had attended my grandson’s 1st Birthday at his home in Wellington. As flights are a ridiculous price at the moment – I had looked at flights and they were going to be $700 return for a 35 minute flight – I had to make the call not to attend.
I was touched to receive her message saying she missed seeing me at the little one’s birthday. She included in her message some photos and a video of the little one, so I could see him as he played with his siblings and other guests. I have been blessed with the continuing love and care of my ex-husband’s siblings and their partners and still feel in a lot of ways that I am a member of their family. It heartens me to know that all the years I spent married to my children’s father gave me strong relationships with most of his family to this day.
Even my relationship with my children’s father has taken a very positive turn since the untimely death of our eldest son. We have been able to put the past behind us and move forward as we support our children and grand-children and often are both present at family events like our grand-children’s birthdays.
Having this diagnosis for me, means that I cherish the positive relationships in my life and try to nurture them as best I can. The simple pleasures of being with those I love are increasingly important.
Video calls are also a gift when I can call my grandsons and talk to them and see them rather than just being a voice on the phone. With them living in the North Island and us living in the South, I don’t see them nearly as much as my grand daughters who live here in Christchurch. I try for quality time with them, rather than quantity of time and feel I am building a good relationship with them along the way.
I am truly blessed by the people in my life and hope that my being in their lives can be counted as a blessing too!
My journey with Parkinsons 