I must not be as old as I think I am. A few nights ago, I heard some songs that I thought were long forgotten but I was able to remember the lyrics and sing along as if they were still current. That says a lot from someone who rarely listens to music; I am a talk radio guy. The songs of summer are working their way through the gray matter thanks to an invitation from our neighbor. Maybe it’s because the lyrics are remarkably simple,

“Close my eyes, she’s somehow closer now. Softly smile, I know she must be kind…

I’m pickin’ up good vibrations; She’s giving me excitations (Oom bop bop).”

I am not completely sure what an excitation is, but I hope that it isn’t anything vulgar. After all, this was written in the 60’s. The “Oom bop bop” must be for added emphasis.

Friday night, we celebrated Lisa’s 39^th birthday at the Summer Pop’s concert series presented by the Grand Rapids Symphony; an outdoor concert held at a venue that is used as a ski resort in the winter months. It was a fabulous event; a casual atmosphere, bring your own beverages, lawn chairs and good music. The theme this weekend was the music of the Beach Boys. A tribute band, Papa Papa Doo Run Run, provided vocals. It has been a long time since I purposefully listened to the Beach Boys. I think that the last time was when I popped an 8 track into an under-dash tape player in my 72 Nova Super Sport. Now that was a car! “Oom bop bop”.

At events like this, I can allow myself to get lost into the people watching. I noticed a person dragging an exceptionally large cooler, the size of a small fridge, and thought, “What was this guy thinking? How did he think he was going to get that thing up the hill?” This time, I was more engaged in the actual event, after all, you can only watch the back of other people’s heads for so long. I don’t think that I am alone in this respect, but by nature it’s easier for me to “watch” than it is to “do.” Lisa is always encouraging me to “loosen up and enjoy” and that we did. While the band played songs from other artists, most all from the time era; the 60’s and 70’s, I could remember the words to most of them. It was fun to listen to but it was even more fun to participate.

The underlying theme of this blog has been “…Living with Parkinson’s” as opposed to “Having Parkinson’s while Watching From the Sidelines Other People Living”. Subtle distinction, I know. In the past, I may have been too content watching from afar but these past few years I have become far less interested in just watching. Watching isn’t really doing, is it? It’s sort of like watching people play cards on TV! Why; why spend the time watching others go white water rafting down waterfalls in a dangerous gorge when I can try it myself. Bad example, but I think that you get the point. By doing, we can become part of a community; a community of white water rafters, a community of bicyclists, a community of writers, etc., and within community, comes the opportunity to develop one’s skills and passions. Without community, I find it all too easy to be a “watcher”; within community non-participation isn’t usually an option.

It has been a great year, filled with social functions, some travel, but mostly of embracing the world in a way that most people always have. Thinking less and enjoying more! I think that is how life is meant to be lived, don’t you? “Oom bop bop”.

Thanks for reading, liking and sharing!

Al and his faithful side-kick Ivy the wonder pup.