It’s that time of year again. John Lewis, Marks and Spencer’s etc domineering advert air time with their yearly Christmas offerings. Black Friday offering those bargains not to be repeated throughout the year. ( How do they do that). To some of us this commercial indulgence is all part of Christmas. To me I look at it and see just another show as if I was watching a comedy on TV.

With Parkinson’s I find it focuses your mind on what is more important in life. Those who mean the most in your life.

It’s usually a more social time of year. This can be difficult with managing the anxiety which is a major part of Parkinson’s. I tend to overcome this by being mindful and setting myself the task to enjoy and not destroy the moments.

I write a lot of poetry these days so this time of year is great for ideas and situations for poems. I also paint and painting Christmas theme paintings is a joy.

Winter is always a hard time for most of us. It can be turned around and made a joy if we view it right. Try and find the happiness in others as they do in you and make it a journey together. Through cold and wet, snow and ice. Think of making someone’s day just with your presence or a smile.

The more we give the more we get back and I don’t mean physical goods but of ourselves.

So let’s make this season a time of renewal of ourselves and others. Make it a time to develop ideas, new and renewed friendships and a joyous season.

This is my fourth week since contracting the virus from Hell and a week now with a chest infection. It looks like I’m in for yet another week as the antibiotics run out today and I’m still coughing and wheezing and feel so weak.

No sympathy needed, it’s one of those things. One observation is that it makes the Parkinson’s worse. Is it because of the Parkinson’s that the virus has taken such a hold. It’s a circle and it’s proving difficult to break free from.

A month ago I had the flu jab offered free on the NHS because I have PD. Usually I have been free from colds and flu as a result of having the jab. This year it has failed to protect me. It’s very difficult for the producers of the vaccines to included all possible virus variants, so I’m not blaming them. What it does show is we can never be too vigilant when it comes to our general health.

One positive aspect of being ill is that it gives time to think and recharge the mind. Hopefully the body will follow shortly.