In advanced stages of Parkinson’s Disease, the facial muscles stop working properly. This is why Anthony’s face sometimes resembles a mask in its expressionlessness. As facial expressions are one of the main ways in which we humans both show and ‘read’ emotions, a blank face can make things very difficult.
For Anthony, smiling isn’t simple. Out of all of the PD symptoms, I find this one of the hardest to deal with because I miss him smiling at me. An expressionless face looks decidedly unfriendly and miserable and (selfishly, I guess) I want him to not only smile, but to laugh the way he used to – loud and long and with his face all crinkled up.
Extreme antics – like Ming monkeying around – can produce an Anthony smile and sometimes, if I exaggerate an anecdote or laugh at my own joke, I will get an Anthony smile. But mostly, no – no smile.
Yesterday I had the wheelchair taxi bring Ants to his nephew’s place not far from our farm. It was there that I discovered a small mirthy miracle in the form of a beautiful baby, Anthony’s great-niece.
Thank you, beautiful baby girl, for making Anthony smile!
jmgoyder 
What a gorgeous smile – both of them! HUGS
It was such a beautiful couple of hours.
I’m glad you can enjoy the moments that count. I’m happy for you. 🙂
These taxi arrangements are making things so much easier and more fun!
She is a gem 🙂
She sure is! Hey I am sending you message on FB later to make a date – finally!
aaahhh lovely smiles from both of them… what a special photo that is… better than the bird…
Isn’t she adorable!
she is… I went to your about page to see if there was an email address, wanted to send you a photo…
juligoyder@gmail.com
Those are tears in my eyes as I read this.
I never appreciated smiling as much as I do now that it is gone from his face mostly.
What a lovely photo. This will surely be a special photo to frame.
(it must be hard to converse when there’s no facial expression – it’s one of the reasons why I find writing on the internet so hard – no hand gestures or facial expression). One spends too much time explaining oneself on the internet, when in reality, a simple smile would have told the tale).
You are so right about internet exchanges being difficult to interpret due to lack of gestures etc. It does make communication tricky and that is probably one reason for the invention of acronyms like LOL etc.
But it’s good to know that in his mind he might be smiling. You just can’t see it.
Yes, I am getting good at mind-reading now! And more laughing to soften the edges of things.
that was so beautiful Julie. what a capture in your heart that was…..
I am discovering that these small moments are the best – the longer moments are crap!
i so agree!!
So happy he found his smile in that beautiful face! Very special moments indeed.
How lovely 😀
It must be sad watching him unable smile so seeing him smile at his great-niece must be heartwarming
It was such a great couple of hours!
so nice to see the things we miss once in awhile
Yes and thank you.
A very precious moment Juilie! So glad you have this photo. This would be hugely hard for me too. I’m very sensitive to facial expression. Imagine u have to train yourself to anticipate this mask expression and not be disappointed if the smiles u know and love don’t often come. They are inside him regardless though… Just know it. Xxxxooo love u….R
How wonderful for all three of you. Thanks for this, a bright spot.
That’s a wonderful smile, and a great moment captured. Babies are magic.
Ohhh…so lovely! This is a tear jerker.
Understand exactly where you’re coming from … we need our laughter together .. we need our smile .. and we need that twinkle in the eyes, but sometime the most simple things that we share – don’t come always that easy – a wonderful shot and you catch a priceless moment.
Babies and little kids can make us feel young again. Glad Anthony got to enjoy a small child.
Beautiful.
I don’t know what it is about small children and pets, but Dad responded to them, as well. I would take my Chihuahua Bella to see him and other residents, and she always brightened their day. Also, he laughed at jokes. I don’t know if he understood them or not, but he knew to laugh at the punchline. Oh how I miss him! And I hate Parkinson’s!
I’m sorry for going on about myself (and Dad) when you need the encouragement. Maybe you can take that little lady for lots of visits just to see Anthony smile.
Sending you lots of BIG Texas love and prayers today…
How wonderful re your dad. I want to take our dogs in but the nursing lodge is a little anti.
What a heart-warming picture! I’m glad you got to see a smile.
I will need to borrow that baby!
Truly a photograph to be treasured!
So beautiful and so adorable moment… Thank you dear Julie, Blessing and Happiness, love, nia
Reblogged this on Momentum of Joy and commented:
This made me smile, too. 🙂
Thank you very much!
What a beautiful moment and such a gorgeous child! I can’t imagine how you feel. Sending a big *hug* to you for your beauty and strength.
Thank you Dianne!!!
It really made my heart and spirit smile! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your interest Wendell!
A lovely tribute to smiles, and those who want to smile but can’t.
Our friend with PD is gone now, but your post brought back many touching memories.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry about your friend and I really appreciate this comment – thank you!
Such a beautiful treasure!
Yes!
What a beauty!
Isn’t she just!
Precious picture! Lovely, lovely smiles.
As a caregiver of some whose facial muscles no longer create the facial expression of a smile I have also learned to recognize the smile in their eyes, and also just sort of feel it – sometimes that is a very deep experience. Thank you for your courageous blog!
Thank you so much for your comment. The trouble is that my husband doesn’t blink either so it’s very hard to read his eyes – see recent post.
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