Tree Lopping; Work in Progress

My dear friends and Parkinson's family I passed a sign on my walk today that simply said "Tree Lopping; Work in Progress" . 

Still, nine months since our town had devastating weather events, all over the CBD and low lying suburbs are fencing barricades, danger signs, keep out signs and work is still ongoing, ( or not) in many businesses and homes. Many homes sit forlornly growing old before their time as their neglect continues. 

They may never again hear the welcome sound of joyful laughter or feel the gentle footsteps of children skipping lightly across their floorboards. Weeds are already greedily clawing back unkempt, unnurtured gardens. Dried flood mud still stains walls, inside and out. This broken city is indeed a work in progress. 

It may never return to what it was, but may reinvent itself as something new and unique, and many hope it will rise out of the mire into a more vibrant and lively city, worthy of the natural and beautiful environment in which it is, no doubt, enmeshed . And what is important is that along the way, people are reaching out and, in many ways communities growing closer as people look out for one another. 

Many of us, like so many places across this nation recently impacted by weather events , have also confronted a life changing event. We have felt keenly the turmoil and the losses our diagnosis of Parkinson's can bring , and at times we have had to face enormous challenges that have been thrust upon us. It is not a life we planned and has often resulted in adapting in ways we had not considered. 

I know , for me, as this disease progresses, I am forced to consider ways to accept, adapt and find a gentle and pliable path to navigate all its twists and turns. I consider myself very much a work in progress. But I will not wait with the expectation that my world will be right once the work is completed. I am amazed that this illness has brought so many unique people from the ParkInson's community into my life, and my life is surely richer because of that. 

I believe that "The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle" ~ Jack Kroner. I am determined to enjoy each moment as things evolve, not wait until the work is finished. 

In fact, I doubt it ever will be complete as long as I draw breath and I do not wish to waste the opportunities of noticing and experiencing those tiny miracles. 

Sophia Bush said " You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously".As Nanette Mathews says “We're all a beautiful, wonderful work in progress...Embrace the process!”