What Can I Do?

Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love. - Gandhi  

he words of Gandhi, Einstein, John Lennon profess love in the face of evil, hate, injustice. They are beautiful words, inspiring words. But I can’t do it. Maybe I need more yoga. Love – as in tenderness, fondness, caring, respect – connote community, warmth. The words coming out of Washington do not. Alternate facts. Brrr, are we on the set of 1984? Cha-ching. Cold cash transfers from people and planet programs into a network of pockets of a few old boys. Even the pink blanket of hope spread by the Women’s March cannot ward off the chill of the indifferent, soulless support of last week’s icy executive orders. The climate has already changed – it’s freezing out there. Freezing in Parkinson’s lingo defines what happens when a person becomes suddenly immobile. Walking along when, with no rational explanation, both feet get stuck. Not in a glued or super-magnet way. Stronger counter-muscles would win out in that case.

Love is the answer. - John Lennon

Parkinson’s is slyer, more self-serving. The person knows what needs to happen but the path that carries that message from the brain has been swept over and no longer exists, So, powering through does no good. It can actually make the situation uglier – all that energy doubles back with more, even violent, pressure on the soles. To get out of a ‘freeze’ requires attention. First, it takes a moment or two for the person to sense that their weight is in both feet. Another moment’s focus and a new path sends the message to shift that weight to one foot so the other can step out into the warmth. Sounds simple, but when these givens are no longer automatic, the maneuver needs patience, understanding. Love.

We are here for the sake of each other. - Einstein

There’s a saying in the Parkinson’s world: Until there’s a cure, there’s community. Family and friends. This degenerative disease leaves them cold, too. As does the degenerative disease spreading through our capitol.

I'm writing you a love letter. - Bonnie Raitt

When was the last time I made sure those in my community were warm in this chilly climate of hate? The words of Bonnie Raitt are more in line with what I can do: love who I love. Now and throughout the upcoming months, year, four years, I'm literally sending out love. And warmth. So can you: ________________________________________

Send love letters. Remind your sister, your nana, your friend all the little things you love about them. No emails or texts. Love letters need to be hand-written, in drafts that get crinkled up and tossed before committing pen to paper. Think opposite of Tweet.

  Think Pink! Show the US Postal Service the love: copy and print this return address label