I've had some health issues in the past, but honestly since 2020 things have been fairly good! Not much to complain about!  But I noticed in August of 2024 that I had a slight tremor in both my left hand and left leg. I have had some lower back problems for years, so I assumed I had pinched a nerve. After a phone call to my much smarter Primary Care physician, we began work on setting up and appointment with an neurologist, and scheduling an MRI to dig a little deeper.

That didn't take place until December 2025, and I found myself in her office in January of 2025 getting my results. "The MRI doesn't show any signs of it, but I believe you have Parkinsons." Not really what I wanted to hear. It wasn't as scary as some of the other possibilities I'd discovered on my "Google deep dives" about tremors, but still... Parkinson's. 

Her plan of attack was simple. "Let's put you on the Parkinson's meds. If it's not Parkinson's, it won't help, but it won't hurt. If it IS Parkinson's, it will help almost immediately." So I took the meds. The tremors stopped almost immediately. 

So there it was.  Parkinson's.

I gotta say it was good to finally have an answer. I spent the next few months digging in and learning what I could about the progression of the disease, about what I could do to impact that progression, and what resources were available for not only me but also my family. There have been bright moments, sillly moments, and few sad or even dark moments since then too.

But I know this. My God never lets anything go to waste. Not good stuff, and certainly not bad stuff. None of this caught Him by surprise, and so since He's been faithful in my life so far, why would I expect anything less now?

I'm blessed beyond measure.

• I have the most amazing wife, kids(spouses included!) and grandkids. Beyond that I have brothers who love deep and strong, their families, cousins, aunts and uncles and just tons of others.
• I have an incredible legacy of a "faith family" that stretches from my hometown of El Reno, to Hydro, across to Sapulpa and then Owasso... brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to encourage and pray for me. Pastors who I have served alongside who now live all over the country, but regularly encourage me.
• I'm blessed to have a lifetime of friends as well, from childhood through today, who text, call or contact through social media to encourage me in my journey. I have a wonderful network of work friends through Visiting Angels who continue to do the same thing on a weekly basis.

Beyond that, I think about the One who loves me more and is in control...
the song "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns has become my theme song...

"Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth, 
Would care to know my name, Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way, For my ever wandering heart?

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain. And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading, Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean, A vapor in the wind
Still, You hear me when I'm calling, Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am, I am Yours, I am Yours."

And so I'm not just good, I'm more than good. I'm blessed. I am His.

And we will take this Parkinson's journey together.