The Thriving Heart

About the Book

For those who don’t know, PD stands for Parkinson’s disease. I could think of other names right now as well, but I’ll stick to the subject. Technically, there’s a portion of my brain that produces dopamine, a chemical necessary for nerve conduction (and a bit of sanity), where cells have died. There’s a technical term for those cells as well, but this is neither an anatomy lesson nor a pharmacological treatise, so I’ll forgo the technical details. I want to talk about what it’s like for me to experience this depletion of dopamine and the nuances of daily life therewith. I have no intention of keeping this totally rational. I can do that, but it would be dishonest and not be helpful as I work through each day genuinely. Fortunately, I stay neither in the rational nor irrational all the time. The irrational side of me says, “No one wants to hear your bellyache about what’s going on with you. They’re too busy with their own stuff to care.” The rational side says, “If one person who reads this is helped or inspired to go on one more day, this expression has been worth it.” So damn the irrational and on with the rational. Here go both!

About the Author

Tom Millner is a retired Pastor, and former teacher, trainer and Pharmaceutical executive who believes it is possible to live a thriving life fueled by gratitude. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in late 2006, he found himself challenged by the tension in grief brought on by what he perceived as the road ahead. With a foundation of faith and a prayerful practice of giving thanks, Tom began to experience a sense of thriving that superseded mere survival. In 2013 Tom and his life partner and spouse retired to the family farm in the rural piedmont region of North Carolina. With wonderful memories of their life in New York City, the Connecticut shore, Philadelphia and the delightful village of Chadds Ford, Pa, followed by the blessing of South Florida, they now enjoy the wonder of their grandchildren as they embrace the rural life. They have traveled the world and look forward to even more possibilities in each day that is the gift of life!