An anniversary I wish had never come to be.
Today marks the anniversary of my mother Sharon’s passing due to Parkinson’s disease. It is not an anniversary I will ever celebrate—or one I choose to dwell on. Even six years later, I still find it difficult to speak about.
The final year of her battle with PD is something I could only bring myself to put into writing. No matter how strong a person believes they are, there are experiences that simply cannot be spoken aloud. I cannot fully describe what we faced—the challenges, the exhaustion, and the hardest days my mother fought so bravely to overcome. As her caregiver, I stood beside her until her final breath, and that journey changed me forever.
Everything I do, and everything I will continue to advocate for, is driven by one purpose: to ensure that no other person, family, or community has to endure what ours did. I will not rest until there is a cure. Join me—because together, our voices are so much stronger.
Miss you, Mom. Your memory lives on through every life we touch.
“January 1, 2020
Mom just passed away—6:05 p.m., January 1, 2020.
She can finally have peace.
And I am in shock . . .”
A quote from the book A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate.
TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure. http://www.togetherforsharon.com
My Letter to Mom
On September 24, 2017, my mother was rushed to the emergency room for the first time after an attempt at a cure through the university failed when she joined a trial study for Parkinson’s.
I decided to write her a letter during that emergency room visit. When we got home, I gave it to her, and her face lit up. I am grateful that at least she was able to read it. She loved it and always kept it with her until the end.
To my best friend of my entire life, forty-two years, my Mom:
You brought me and my brother up to be hardworking, honest individuals with integrity, care, and passion for helping others. Following your example, I have dedicated my own life to embodying and extending the values you taught me, like good nature, commitment, and care for others. You instilled these values in me, and I live by them with everyone I meet.
I remember that anytime I finished something important, like an accomplishment, you were the first person I wanted to share the experiences with because you were always there to listen, praise me, and give me the best advice. From joining a fraternity to changing my major fifty times in college to law school graduation to reminding me to call you at the end of a police shift to the birth of my children, you listened eagerly and supported me. Or, as importantly, to share my day with them. You were always there for me.
You taught me to cherish life and enjoy every day and always reminded me that all one can do is their best. For many years, I didn’t understand what that meant. But today, looking back, I discovered it means to try as much as you can in life, and it is okay to fail. It also means never giving up on the passion and desire to be positive and understand your path in life.
You are not only my mother but my sister, teacher, mentor, best friend, and so much more.
You are the most positive person I have ever come to know. You always looked at the good side, even when you reminisced about some unpleasant events, despite my face turning bright red. Like when you told everyone at parties of forty people, “George, do you remember when you were a kid, and you climbed onto your bureau, and it collapsed, and we ran in and only saw your head under it?” Or when I got hold of baby power as a kid—you can imagine what happened next and what my room looked like.
These were only two of the thousands of reminders I had daily of how you recalled and cherished our memories together. Even in the last years, you still loved telling stories, but now, thinking about it, what I think you were truly doing was making sure I passed on the memories we shared to my kids and their kids. I will never forget or let those memories be forgotten, and they will be part of us all and will live on forever.
You are my role model, inspiration, and the first person I always rushed to share my days with. And you always have been throughout my lifetime. As my mother, you have been the light in my life and have taught me to be the person I am today.
I am grateful for you, Mom, and I feel the world will always be a better place because of you