Dear Parkinson’s
You will not have my mom.
You may take her outer strength,
but her inner strength blooms on.
You may take her voice,
but her love is loud and strong.
You may change her movement,
stiffer, and sometimes slow.
Fatigue may settle in,
and changes surely show,
but her spirit still shines large
and her beauty only grows.
You may be the reason
that she stops to take a rest,
but you can’t keep her heart from
pouring out kindness.
Our hero and our warrior
forever more, never less.
She’s mightier than you
in soul, and guts, and heart,
a solid pillar of peace,
you cannot pull apart.
No disease can steal the grace
that she perfectly imparts.
No amount of symptoms
could change her legacy.
No illness diminishes that
she’s all I want to be.
No consequence of aging can shrink
my mom, my hope, my peace.
Mom, you recently asked a dear friend about your value and belonging now that you have Parkinson’s. You wondered about your purpose as you struggle with no longer being able to serve others in the ways you always have. I am here to tell you on behalf of everyone that has ever known you, that your value and belonging have never been defined by what you could do for others. Your value and belonging have ALWAYS been defined by who you are and whose you are.
You are the most Godly, loving, kind, generous of spirit, selfless, peace-giving, and gracious person I’ve ever known. Parkinson’s will NEVER take away all the lovely and life-giving qualities that make you who you are!
What you’ve always given and continue to pour into your family is an everlasting love…a grace that surpasses a lifetime…an agape love that has wrapped itself around each of us for eternity…a kindness that is warm and unconditional…an endless lesson of how to care for others with compassion and servanthood.
My hope has always been and will always be that I could grow each day to be more like you. This prayer doesn’t change as you struggle with the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s can’t steal your value…nothing can! Mom, your value isn’t in how much you can do…how many hours you can help…how many “yes’s” you can say…how many brownies you can bake (although those are amazing!). Your value has and always will be the beautiful fruit of the spirit that you display every day of your life. Your value has and always will be the heart and spirit that God created in order for you to love others in ways they’ve never been loved. Your value has and always will be from a Father who loves you as mightily now as he did the day you were born.
You must know, and more importantly, believe that your family values you as much today, in this moment, as we did when you fixed breakfast every morning, sang us to sleep every night, attended every choir concert and ball game, took us school shopping, and helped raise our children. It has never been what you do for us…it has always been about how you love us. The love that pours from your soul has not changed with Parkinson’s, and no disease could ever steal our love from you. You belong. You are valued.
There truly are not words to describe how proud I am to call you mom. Jesus is Love and so are you! The love you share shines bright into the hearts of those who know you and that light is passed from person to person eventually touching people you’ve never met. The light you have imparted in other’s lives will never extinguish, nor will the legacy of your life.
My Mom
Love pours from her so fiercely
as she wraps you in her peace.
Her arms are warm and steady,
kindness plays across her face.
She holds you up in prayer,
puts you first, because that’s love.
Serves hope with steady wisdom,
points our eyes to Him above.
An image of perfect grace.
A heart that wants to serve.
She gives with all she has,
wanting nothing in return.
She’s strong and full of beauty.
Wise and believes the best.
She quickly finds your worth.
Chooses service over rest.
Forgiveness given freely,
no judgment does she bring.
She looks to help others heal,
chasing out shame’s sting.
She’s mighty and she’s humble,
powerful and kind,
She’s everything I hope to be
I’m so blessed that she is mine.
My perfectly made, lovely, beautiful mom.
Reneé Tumolo 