Reminiscing – Memory is a strange and wonderful thing!

As I write this, I am sitting in an apartment in Kaikoura having a wee break away in our favourite place. Yesterday, my husband went for a long walk on The Peninsula Walk which is one we used to do together. Last time we came for a visit, I was much earlier in my rehabilitationContinue reading “Reminiscing – Memory is a strange and wonderful thing!”

Christmas priorities

We are soon to hit December and with it the month seems to rocket past at speed. Every year the days and months seem to go by so fast and before you know it, another year has ended. This has been a challenging year for me with my health. Fortunately, Parkies has been well-behaved andContinue reading “Christmas priorities”

Priorities – What do you focus on?

Yesterday a short video clip showed up on a Facebook Page for people with Parkinson’s and those that support them. It was a video of a husband whose wife had been diagnosed some 20 years ago and how he had spent those 20 years. He talked about how he had spent a significant amount ofContinue reading “Priorities – What do you focus on?”

Pride goes before a fall… What does that even mean?!?

The saying “Pride goes before a fall” is such a negative outlook on life as far as I am concerned. Giving it this sort of negative attention baffles me. How many times in my life have I felt pride? Pride for something I have done? Something my children have done or my husband? or anyContinue reading “Pride goes before a fall… What does that even mean?!?”

“By eck, by gum would you Adam and Eve it!”

Pretty random huh! I have been thinking today about the difference our culture can make for us. Also, about the definition of culture. Often culture is seen as part of your ethnicity and that can be true. But, it is also about the experiences and influences that you grew up with and your family culture.Continue reading ““By eck, by gum would you Adam and Eve it!””

The evolution of Christmas

Every year it seems that Christmas rolls around sooner and one minute it is months away and the next I find myself having to organise the family Christmas. This is a relatively easy task when you are the Mum and you have small children and the organisation is pretty much in your hands. The childrenContinue reading “The evolution of Christmas”

The truth will set you free…

I am a 64 year old woman with Parkinson’s, married to my third husband and very happily so. My first husband was the father of my three children and we separated and ultimately divorced when they were all quite young. We had some challenging years ahead of us, some ill feeling on both sides whichContinue reading “The truth will set you free…”

What makes a family?

At the moment we are staying in Wellington with my son, daughter-in-law and their three beautiful boys. We have been staying for a couple of days and it has been lovely catching up with them all. This morning, we went to an indoor play place – I don’t know quite what to call it –Continue reading “What makes a family?”

Moving to the beat of my own drum…

I have never really felt that I fully conformed to the image of me that others had. As the youngest child in the family and the only girl with three big brothers, I started out as the odd one out I suppose. I remember being a teenager and my Mum saying to me one dayContinue reading “Moving to the beat of my own drum…”

Grandchildren are a gift

Recently I have been enjoying spending some one-on-one time with each of my three granddaughters. It has been lovely having that individual time to talk to them about how things are going for them and opening the door for them if they want to talk. There have been some significant changes in their family structureContinue reading “Grandchildren are a gift”