Many of us have experienced being moved beyond words. At other times, we turn to words as a tool to describe the experience of being moved.

Such was the case when Dan Crowley and Gil Aliber returned home from Celebrating the Art of Resilience, an annual event for the participants, family, and friends of the Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson’s Family Support program. This year was a milestone, celebrating the 10th year of programming. Dan and Gil, program participants, were both moved to write poems about their experience sharing dance, music, and camaraderie at this special event.

In reflecting on the day, Gil said: “It was almost overwhelming. We performed and the whole event built to a crescendo with everyone singing and dancing. There was a powerful sense of community—a very special community—coming together dancing and singing with exuberance.”

Poems written after Celebrating the Art of Resilience 2017

Thank you for bringing us all together!
Dan Crowley

Resilience…Resurrection
go together.
Death becomes Life.
Darkness becomes Light.
Fear becomes Hope.
Doubt becomes Confidence.
Loneliness becomes Love.
Resilience/Resurrection is not a skill—not a talent.
Not an art—not an asset
Rather, it’s a process of discovery
and wonder…
It needs a community that comes
Together

The Sounds of Tomorrow
Gil Aliber

What joy resounded throughout the room …
Voices uplifted in gratitude …
Gratitude for the Community we are …
The gift of being which is special …
For each moment we are grateful for that we are given …
The support of a loved one …
The circle of Family …
And a Community that is welcoming …
Voices strong …
Reaching beyond …
Sensing the Light ahead that beckons to the future …
Yes, we each have challenges …
Challenges that are faced with Dignity.
And With Love.

It is with sincere gratitude that we thank Dan and Gil for sharing their poetic talent with us. We are honored by these words and moved by their beauty.

Nancy MazonsonNancy Mazonson, MS, OTR/L, has coordinated the Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson’s Family Support program of JF&CS since its inception in September 2006. The program is a leading resource in the Boston area with its unique programs, including Parkinson’s Dance, Adult Child and Care Partner support groups, and Tremble Clefs choral singing group. Prior to her work at JF&CS, Nancy worked extensively as an occupational therapist in inpatient and community-based rehabilitation settings, specializing in helping people with degenerative neurological conditions.

Originally posted on the JF&CS blog.

This post has been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content are presented solely by the author, and JewishBoston assumes no responsibility for them. Want to add your voice to the conversation? Publish your own post here. MORE