HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Cheryl Wirtley1 Comment

On May 30, 1998, I married my true love. It was the best decision I have ever made.

This poem is dedicated to my husband of 25 years!

Thank you for being such a wonderful man and husband. 

Late in my life, 
My true love was found.
That’s when I learned
how love is profound.
 
True love,
gives you strength,
when you feel weak.
 
True love
fights for you,
when you cannot fight.

When illness arrives,
he stands by your side.

He whispers so softly,
you can get through.

When your energy dips
and fatigue wins the fight,
he reminds you to rest.
say good night.

When you walk slow,
he walks next to you.

When movement stiffens,
he will sit with you.

He holds your hand
together as one.

Every breath and each moment,
he will hold your hand.

Through the hardest of days.
through the toughest of times.
in the present moment, 
he is there with you.

When you need him,
he is there.

Walking beside you.
holding your hand.

Now that is true love
always there.
Staying true.

 
Cheryl Wirtley  February 2022

Poetry Jam tonight!

Cheryl Wirtley1 Comment

I will be participating in a poetry jam tonight and will be the second person. My poem is called INTERNAL MOVEMENTS. I’m very excited and hope you all will tune in. You can find the text for INTERNAL MOVEMENTS on this website. It the most recent post on March 23, 2023.

Here’s the link to the poetry jam. You have to register to get the zoom link.

https://pcla.org/event/living-artistically-with-parkinsons-poetry-jam-2023/

Internal Movements

Cheryl Wirtley1 Comment 
Inside the body, there is movement,
Movement you feel.

Seeing consequences,
Due to lack of dopamine.

Maybe a tremor,
Maybe slowness,

Maybe the body freezing,
Maybe shuffling feet.

Exercise is the secret,
Living with Parkinson’s.

Make big movements,
Reach far, stand tall.

Never understanding
Swinging arms, giant steps.

Until now. 
A wave of sensation 
Traveled through my body.

Today, I felt and understood.
I perceived a new awareness.

Internally, I sensed,
The body curling in upon itself.
The body folding over ,
Squeezing the organs, the muscles
Holding on with all its might.

Internally, the body urges you to be still.
Trying to take hold of your movements.
Trying to make you freeze.
Trying to stifle you.

The internal draw of Parkinson’s is strong
We can be stronger.

We can move.
We can walk.

We swing our arms high.
We take long giant steps.

Walk tall.
Swing your arms.

Stand up straight.
Walk with a bounce and lift.

Resist the desire to slow down.
Counteract,  the drive to be still.

In the stillness, there is no movement.
Without movement, you become a statue.  

Just keep moving.
Combat the internal tug.

Make a pledge to keep moving.
Defy the desire to be still.

Yes, the fight is difficult and long.
This is the battle we must soldier on.

Our struggle, our journey
Must not be wasted 
Must not be in vain.

True Love

Cheryl Wirtley6 Comments 
Late in my life, 
My true love was found.
That’s when I learned
how love is profound.
 
True love,
gives you strength,
when you feel weak.
 
True love
fights for you,
when you cannot fight.

When illness arrives,
he stands by your side.

He whispers so softly,
you can get through.

When your energy dips
and fatigue wins the fight,
he reminds you to rest.
say good night.

When you walk slow,
he walks next to you.

When movement stiffens,
he will sit with you.

He holds your hand
together as one.

Every breath and each moment,
he will hold your hand.

Through the hardest of days.
through the toughest of times.
in the present moment, 
he is there with you.

When you need him,
he is there.

Walking beside you.
holding your hand.

Now that is true love
always there.
Staying true.

 
Cheryl Wirtley  February 2022

Rigidity

Cheryl Wirtley1 Comment

I feel inspired, and am taking advantage of this feeling by writing. Recently, I discovered the differences between stiffness, rigidity, and dystonia; they are all complicated. These three symptoms bring severe pain and movement becomes difficult. This knowledge is not something I searched for.  It came to me, during the night. Trust me, it really isn’t something I wanted to learn. My doctor made adjustments to my medicine and things are looking up. Thus, inspiration! YEA!

Some mornings I wake up and find my body to be stiff and rigid. This really hurts, which leads me to exercise. I found an excellent video that focuses on moving through rigidity in Parkinson’s. The instructor is Lauren Lewis and she makes it fun. She combines numerous exercises, which reduce stiffness and rigidity.  Lauren is motivating and has fun with the music. After doing a few sequences, my arms do not feel stiff and my legs are moving. My body feels free and loose again, and I completed the entire video. This video will help people who experience stiffness and rigidity.  

Power for Parkinson’s is a non-profit organization whose mission is as follows:

Our mission is to provide free fitness, dance, and singing classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their care partners in the Austin, Texas area and around the world. We aim to engage people with Parkinson’s in regular exercise to slow or even reverse the effects of PD, improve their overall sense of well-being, provide opportunities for socialization, and help prevent depression and isolation that often accompanies the disease.

The exercise videos on this website are FANTASTIC! They target specific symptoms like rigidity and balance. Take some time to check out this website. I know you will enjoy these videos. 

Silence

Cheryl Wirtley3 Comments

Silence

Holding hands
Hearts beating
In rhythm with mine.

Listen.
Silence stills us all.

Hear breathing,
In and out,
Inhale, exhale.

Everyone knows
How precious this moment is.

Silence is welcomed.
Fitting for this moment in time.

Listen,
Hear the silence
Hear the breath,
inhale, exhale.

Hear the heartbeats,
Thump, thump.

Alone, but together.
In our thoughts and minds.

Sadness stagnates the air.
Sadness seeps from our souls.

One soul has just arrived.
Another soul, preparing to leave.

Hearts thumping.
Hearts breaking.
Keeping us in silence.

We all whisper,
We wish this was not goodbye.


In memory of Norma.

I’m back

Cheryl Wirtley3 Comments

Today, in this space, this moment in time, I am feeling inspired. I was in a space where I couldn’t find the inspiration, but here it is again!

Today, I share my thoughts. I’ve been caught up in the land of Parkinson’s and could not find my way out. Today, at this time I feel like I can get out. I can escape Parkinson’s emotionally. My writing has been important to me, something I can count on, something I can feel good about. The mind is activated. The creativity that comes from writing can be addictive. You are waiting for that next burst of inspiration, the burst of introspection. Here’s today’s brilliant thought. Writing needs space to breathe. If you don’t give it room to even breathe, it will remain stagnant. Three cheers to giving writing a room, a place to be, and a place to live. Three cheers for getting back on the horse again. Three cheers to the future. Who knows what it will bring.

Happy Anniversary

Cheryl WirtleyLeave a comment

I am writing at the beginning of my 3rd year of having this website.  It definitely has been an adventure.  I’ve never written so many poems, and I am very proud of my work.  Click the poetry category on the right of the website,  to see all of my poems.  

I think about the last year, and I wonder what keeps me going.  The last year has been difficult because new symptoms arrived and are hard to control.  It is looking like we found the solution, but the jury is still out. 

What keeps me going?  The answer is hope.    Hope gives me the strength to carry on.  Hope helps me feel better.  Living through Parkinson’s takes courage and strength and hope.  All three of these things help you get through the day.  Belief.  You must believe you can get through your day.  You must believe that you can manage your symptoms.  You must believe that you can carry on.  Believe in yourself.  Believe in your loved ones, family, and friends who support you.  Believe in the love that they bring you each day.  Be grateful for the times they step up and tell you the truth.  All of this and more is needed to navigate your Parkinson’s.  

Here it is, the third year of my website.  I look forward to the path I will be walking.  I appreciate all your comments on my work.  My goal is to continue to be a resource for people to come to and find information.  Information that is accurate and interesting. The Librarian in me, must be seen.  It is early in the morning, and I must return to sleep.  Please continue to leave comments about my work and my posts.  They are very motivating.  Three cheers to another year!

Journaling – September 17

Cheryl Wirtley1 Comment

I will be speaking virtually on September 17 for a program on creative journaling to aid you through your Parkinson’s journey. We will dive into why someone with Parkinson’s should journal and the benefits of journaling. We will discuss different kinds of journaling, including documentation of medical symptoms, and poetry.  Registration is on the Parkinson’s Support & Wellness website.

Walking in gratitude

Cheryl Wirtley1 Comment

Today, I am walking in the sunshine.

Today, I soak up the golden rays,

Today, walking is a pleasure.

Today, gratitude fills my soul.

Today, I remember,

Walking is a gift.

My feet carry me, urging me forward.

Today, all is forgotten.

How large are my steps?

Am I standing tall or am I bent like a flower?

Today, I pause and breathe, soaking in my exceptional gratitude.

Today, I walk

for the pure pleasure of walking.

Today, I walk with grace and gratitude

Pausing to breath,

The beauty of the field

makes me smile.

Another pause,

another breath,

remembering,

gratitude is everything.