Young Onset Parkinson’s since the late 70’s

Was this a delusion or my conclusion to suffering?

Could it have been real?

There was peace and lack of fear

I am peaceful nowI finally understandI was not meant to

be perfectI Am human and

divided into partsMind, Body, and SoulWithout all three I

am not worthwhile

Today I am whole yet I speak in parts

Today I paid the tollI received God’s

pardon, now I walkYesterday I fell apartNothing went rightMy heart fell apart

Today

If I was able to run, would you run with me?

If I sailed in rough water, would

you help me?

If I…….would you be there for

me?

Today is the day that countsTomorrow remains in doubtYesterday is goneThere is no doubt this moment I am grateful for

Reminiscent of days pastYesterday may have been greatYet those moments are pastToday is all we haveDon’t let it go unnoticedIt might be your lastIf you are in doubt, doubt no moreGet answers, help others, while you can

If you know moreShare your knowledgeIt costs nothing yet reaps a lot more

Yesterday’s Dreams, Today’s Hope

Joseph J Amodeo

Forget who you wereRemember who you areForget where you have beenRemember where you are going

Racing with Angels is a spiritual journey from darkness to light. It began years before I was even aware. Darkness has a unique way of capturing your love of life and turning it to self destruction in ways that are unknown to you. It begins with good intentions and your wanting to live a righteous life. You have strong beliefs which are firmly religion based and well intentioned. You

faith is based upon the belief if you do good, you will receive good things. Then comes a disaster in your life. A test of your faith. When disaster strikes, who do

we blame? Usually not ourselves but our families, our parents of course take the brunt of our blame. Then of course we turn to God. The

classic "Why Me Lord". This is how we respond to change in our life. We usually resist so we have to find someone to blame or

point our finger at. There are other options but we can't see or hear them because of our preoccupation with a disruption in our life. A distortion

whether temporary or lifelong which we feel trapped.Let us enjoy our time together, and cherish each moment we share together.

Lets refer to the bible where we are reminded not to worry

we blame? Usually not ourselves but our families, our parents ofcourse take the brunt of our blame. Then of course we turn to God. The classic "Why Me Lord". This is how we respond to change in our life. We

usually resist so we have to find someone to blame orpoint our finger at. There are other options but we can't see or hear them

because of our preoccupation with a disruption in our life. A distortion whether temporary or lifelong which we feel trapped.

Let us enjoy our time together, and cherish each moment we share together. Lets refer to the bible where we are reminded not to worry

Photo by Rosanne Amodeo

Living in my bubbleProtected from the world

Closing out the world around meFreeing myself from fear

Taking a time outA sort of pit stop to rest and healEveryday will be Sunday for me

At least for a whileI need to rest and say tomorrow to everything

I need to regroupIt is what it is

FINDING MY MOMENTLive in that moment…

with desire and fire in your heartWithout worry or fear

of whether this moment is dark or lightControl this moment…

make your darkness your lightIt’s all about your intent,

your belief in what is rightAha moment

my worrying all my lifedid little more than held me back

My Life became a series of extremesMany books have been written about life

Many poets penned sonnets on strifeArtists paint images about the perfect lifeSong writers sing about drugs and insights

Scientists explore what is possible and what is notDoctors tell us,” take this pill” in time, you will be alright

Psychologists tell us to question whyOur mothers tell us our life will be fine

In school we are told all you need is a jobStudy hard, learn in school

Be good, and you will be fineThen someone says only the good die young

So what does that mean?By now I want to scream

What no one tells you in school?Life has extremes

Pills are not the answerScience should stop looking for the facts

The answer lies with usBelieve me that is a fact.

It is

A daily thoughtLet us enjoy our time together, and cherish each moment we share together.

My Moments of Hope

Matthew 6

"Oh you of little faith, who of you by worrying can add a single day to their life." "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. "

This book explains how to effect changeIf any change occurs in your life, it must begin with youForget who you wereRemember who you areForget where you have beenRemember where you are goingForget protecting or hiding thoughts or secretsRemember if you have to lie or hide somethingIt is not worth holding on toBe yourselfRemember it is the only person you can beIf you make a mistake, which you will make many,Make amends, ask forgiveness and carry onLet goOnly, the truth will set you freeIf you love someoneTell themIf don’t love themKiss themAnd teach them to loveYou can’t heal unless you were lostYou can’t love unless you were tossedFear notLive to accept the past as an event,One event is a span of a million events,I read somewhere that love, not time heals all woundsNow I believe that God is loveI also read "God doesn't make junk"Therefore I am LoveI also heard "God doesn't want us to be treated as a door mat”I will not be stepped onI will send love, give love, spread love

If you can't fly, then danceIf you can't dance, keep tryingLove can move mountains, they sayI say, Love can sweep you off your feetFly

The Flight of FreedomThe Silence of a Dove in flight

Visions of the sounding tides in the nightSands blowing by ocean breeze

Leaves on trees ignoring nature’s tapSadness filling the clouds above

Echo of the future glowCries of sadness below the grass

The chills of church bells in silence soundLaughter of children on the groundCrowds of people sounding tears

Movement of a life beyondEcho of yonder past

FINDING MY MOMENTLive in that moment…with desire and fire in your heartWithout worry or fearof whether this moment is dark or lightControl this moment…make your darkness your lightIt’s all about your intent,your belief in what is rightAha momentmy worrying all my lifedid little more than held me backMy Life became a series of extremesMany books have been written about lifeMany poets penned sonnets on strifeArtists paint images about the perfect lifeSong writers sing about drugs and insightsScientists explore what is possible and what is notDoctors tell us,” take this pill” in time, you will be alrightPsychologists tell us to question whyOur mothers tell us our life will be fineIn school we are told all you need is a jobStudy hard, learn in schoolBe good, and you will be fineThen someone says only the good die youngSo what does that mean?By now I want to screamWhat no one tells you in school?Life has extremesPills are not the answerScience should stop looking for the factsThe answer lies with usBelieve me that is a fact.It is

Being StillAs I ponder yet another milestone in life, that of being alive, I wonder As the whistle of the trees. and the barking of the dogs yet irritate me, I realize I'm live. The runs on the beach in the heat, the cold nights outside with no shoes on my feet. The cold winds of the ocean, the door of my brain leftopen. What was I trying to prove or was I looking for approval. Interesting concept because when you walk without fear are you mad or just fearless? Having lived with a brain disease I don't know any other way of living.

In "My Moments of Hope", my journey ended with anticipation of continued healing. Although I surpassed my highest expectations, this healing process took a toll on my family and friends. Was this worth it? If you had a choice between quality of life or wait for a cure, what would you choose? I chose to live now and not wait for a cure. During my journey there was pain, suffering, misunderstanding and joy. This is what happens when you travel a different or unknown path.