As with any other person, there is much more to my life than just the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. I carry with me a grief that no mother should have to face. The death of my oldest son, suddenly and far too soon at just short of his 39th birthday. One thing that I find comfort in is the fingerprint of my son that I wear on a chain round my neck. Anyone who has lost someone will – I think – notice it. I know I went somewhere recently and saw someone wearing one and I went to comment on it, but it was obviously not something she wished to talk about, so I shifted to another topic.
When thinking about my oldest son whose fingerprint I wear, I wanted to write him a poem. I thought I would share it with you. If you see someone with one of these necklaces, though it is easy to see, it may not be easy to talk about. This is my way of acknowledging my son and the importance that keeping this fingerprint on me always.
Adam’s been on my mind. So, I wrote this for him.
Just a fingerprint
Just a fingerprint hanging on a chain
Just a fingerprint, though it looks so plain
Just a fingerprint, may not look like much
Just a fingerprint, the last to feel his touch
Just a fingerprint, as we count the cost
Just a fingerprint, tells of futures lost
Just a fingerprint, worn by me each day
Just a fingerprint, since he went away
Just a fingerprint, you see it hanging there
Just a fingerprint, of someone oh so dear
Just a fingerprint, like others that I see
Just a fingerprint, they’ve felt loss like me
Just a fingerprint, imbedded by his touch
Just a fingerprint, of someone loved so much
Just a fingerprint, though it’s small and light
Just a fingerprint, to touch it just feels right
Just a fingerprint, of my precious son
Just a fingerprint, may I see him when I’m done
For Adam….xxx
My journey with Parkinsons 