As you know, on Saturday, February 16, 2013, I had my third workshop in taking my Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery™ on the road. This venue was Tampa, FL, where I live, and the day was absolutely stupendous! Imagine: 16 of us, some with Parkinson’s, some of their spouses and partners and friends, some from Florida, some from Massachusetts, some from Ohio, and some from Pennsylvania, (yes, some were escaping the cold), all in one place with one purpose…Parkinson’s recovery.
The room was alive with Parkinson’s recovery. As people arrived, a little anxious at first, they started to mingle, and that was all that was needed for everybody to realize they were among friends. Imagine being in a room full of people who understand how you move and how you feel. You could see it in their eyes and hear it in their words and feel it in their hearts.
Once we got going full tilt into the workshop, people were asking questions, sharing ideas, telling their own stories…the room was abuzz with excitement and recovery. And, when I started demonstrating the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery™, the people came out of their seats and joined in. Everybody! Not just those with Parkinson’s. It was a Medical Qigong for Liver group effort like you never have seen before and can only imagine.
And, my wife Sally was there. That made it extra special for me, and I feel her presence had meaning for the others who attended. When we were eating lunch, the woman sitting next to Sally asked her a question about the experience of me with Parkinson’s. As Sally was trying to explain what it was like the day we told our children, her voice cracked and she started crying. Even two and a half years after my recovery, the memories weigh heavy and the emotions are strong.
At the end of the workshop, we were so in the moment of Parkinson’s recovery, I almost forgot that we needed a picture for all of you. Most of the people who were in attendance are in this picture.
When you look at the faces of this group, we may not look like a bunch of people at the end of a 7-hour workshop, the final 3 hours of which were learning and practicing the physical part of the Recipe. However, this is what a room full of people look like, even after 7 hours, when they are filled will faith and real hope of recovery. By the end, everybody knew recovery was within their reach, and their faces show it. How wonderful is that!
Please take inspiration from the Tampa workshop group. Look in their eyes and feel their faith in recovery. They know recovery is within their reach…you need to know it too!
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
congratulations howard.
you all look great.
Thank you, Bhavna.
Blessings,
Howard
Which one is Sally?
Hi Gita,
Sally is seated all the way to your right as you look at the picture, on the end, dressed in black, in front of me.
Blessings,
Howard
I thought so! She looks so filled with positive energy and love! Your cheerleader! In a way, ours, too.
Congratulations, Howard…. everyone looks aglow!
Thank you, Penny. It certainly felt that way!
Blessings,
Howard
Dear Howard
All of the people in the Tampa photo look healthy and hale. When are you coming to Boston? I would really like to experience a group session like that.
Hi Susan,
Happy to hear from you! I will be in Boston in July of this year. I will update the Workshop page when I get the location and date solidified. Looking forward to meeting you there.
Blessings,
Howard
I don’t see any victims of Parkinsons, all I see is Recovery!
So sorry I missed out on such a Fabulous day!
Thank you, Joe. Sorry we missed you on Saturday, too.
Blessings,
Howard
Hi Howard,
When will you be in SF bay area?
Brian
Hi Brian,
Mid-October 2013. I will update my Workshops page when I have the exact date and location solidified. Hope to see you there.
Blessings,
Howard
You all look great! Wonderful to just share the photographic proof. I feel very connected. Thank you for sharing this with us. An extra boost to morale.
Thank you Howard.I really do love these photos and seeing the lovely faces of my co-travellers on the path to recovery.
Hi Margriet and Christine,
Thank you both for traveling on this path with us from overseas. I am happy we are able to bring our healing connection across the world to each of you. We feel your healing connection coming back this way, too. Thank you!
Blessings,
Howard
I love you all! Yay! So exciting!
Come to Pennsylvania. Wait til summer 🙂
Wonderful Howard you are all beaming and you n Sally are bursting with joy. Great to hear about the workshop how good it must be for people to meet you in person n hear n see your recovery as well as the group supporting one another. Cheers to you all. Helen
Thank you Howard,
yes, that Saturday’s workshop with the foto of our Tampa ” Soccer team ” was a full
success . Barb and I loved and admired Sally’s and your presentation.
You have convinced us : THERE IS HOPE
we will be in touch for your advice and help
Manfred and Barb
How inspiring all your shining faces are! What love! Ah! Thank you for all you give, what blessings you radiate! Wonderful, Jane
Dear Howard and everybody, What a great thing to remember… “Recovery is within my reach!” Love you all, Laurie
Wow, the number of responses and their content is overwhelming!!! We do have the power to heal ourselves, and we are!!! Thank you all for sharing your well wishes.
Blessings,
Howard
Howard,
Congratulations on another successful workshop. I read / write this with tears of joy in my eyes. I remember the call just before Thanksgiving 2009 when you told me that when I came for dinner “you may notice that I am having a little trouble getting the food from the fork into my mouth.” My how things have changed since then. You are quite an inspiration. Seeing you recover has been a blessing and I never tire of reading about all the people that you are helping. You give us all hope!!
I love you.
Allison
Hi Allison,
I remember that day as well. Hard call to make to you just 2-1/2 years after mom died. It was a long time ago, and it is so much nicer getting together now. Thank you for your continuing love and support of me and all of us in the Parkinson’s community.
Love,
Howard
Howard,
You have started a revolution 🙂 Congratulations! Not long now before we will see you in the UK we guess….
You all look fantastic by the way.
Love and blessings,
Andy and Regina
Thank you, Andy and Regina.
I am looking forward to coming to the UK to be with you both and the others in our recovery community. I appreciate your well-wishes from across the pond.
Love,
Howard