Loved Ones

Whenever I count my blessings, I include my daughter-in-law at the top. I have known D since my oldest son and she started dating in their freshman year at college. I instantly loved her and as importantly, I liked her. Twelve years have passed since those early college days. They are now married, own a house and have two awesome rescue dogs. My feelings for D continue to grow as the years role on. D loves my son in the way that every mother prays for and supports him in the most understanding of ways. But what really makes me feel so close to her is the way she allows me to love her with no restrictions. Part of this relationship stems from a mutual acknowledgement that I do not try to be a mother to her. Firstly, she has a fabulous mom who is a wonderful woman. Also, I am clear that my role is to be the best mother-in-law to D that I can be. I respect her as a woman, admire her as a friend and love her as a family member.  I am not afraid to show D the downsides of my Parkinson’s  She is not taken back by my symptoms and always knows what to do and say when I am having a particularly difficult Parkinson’s day. I literally thank God for having D in my life and I thank my son for sharing his loving bride with his mom.