What Pain and its companions whispered

I think about slowing down these days, my mind is no longer as it used to be,
in love and obsessed with work. Now it is pre-occupied with coping with pain
which took residence in my left leg and brought with it companions.
Every night, pain -along with the companions who took residence in my body
- plays and strums my nerves and muscles and makes sure I lie awake
knowing they delight in their new found home.
How I remember and long for the quiet nights of restful sleep,
waking up refreshed, renewed to face the challenges of the new day.
My gentle friend at work told me I was recently not performing as well as I used to
- not as the bright star I was a year ago -
and as I listened and felt disappointed that I no longer shine
and am no longer seen as outstanding, I asked myself,
is it any wonder?
Should this be important to me now?
Perhaps it’s time to rethink what is of value.
Yes work was once my love,
perhaps now having to sustain the minimal requirements of life is enough?
My new found residence pain and its companions have told me “Michelle, do not forget you have
a new claim on your life, Parkinson’s lives with you now my love”.
I will live with my new companions with acceptance, taking it a day at a time.
Perhaps a smile, a hello, a kiss and a gentle word
to those I love is what I should treasure more than expecting
to have the buzz I used to get from work.