Reality

We’ve had several REALITY checks along the way, many that were difficult. At one doctor’s appointment Ken asked “Will I get back to playing how I once did?” Ken had watched videos of dancers and runners who could barely walk but could perform their given talent as without Parkinson’s. The doctor was encouraging but noncommittal and repeated the all too familiar “everyone is different” response.

When we got home I had to do a REALITY check with Ken, maybe more for me than him. I mentioned his playing and that Parkinson’s is progressive and degenerative and there is currently no cure. Now, that seems like a harsh REALITY.

We have always known that we, Ken and I, come at life from different angles. How we process information, how we react, and how we move on. So, he is processing his piano playing from a different angle. He was a child prodigy. He gave his first public piano recital at the age of 9. I learned that day, at the doctor’s appointment, that a lot of his self-worth was tied to his amazing talent. To him it was a gift from God that he was meant to share with the world. And now, the REALITY is that his God-given talent was being threatened by a disease he had no control over. Most likely feeling like he has no control over his talent. His current REALITY.