POEM The Coat that Could (part 4 about da coat)

One day in 2005, I (judy) went into a discount store

my eye was caught by colorful coats by the door

I looked at the tag and gasped at the original retail price

and then I thought "at $15, this 90% discount is really nice!"

So I shelled out the cash and took the gorgeous coat home

and planned to wear it when I deemded that the time was right.

the day Carol left for church camp that  seemed a perfect time
for the coat to appear and help break any camp grind

and on that glorious day,the bright multicolored coat had it's debute
and a remarkable journey of smiles with family and friends began

But Carol did not share in the vision of fun of thisin the 15 dollar, bright and gaudy coati had found
and she would have nothing to do with me and this new 'da coat' as I shared it with everyone around! "

She begrudgingly took the coat to camp for all of them to enjoy for the week

and planned it's demise so that there would be no more coat repeats!

One day while Carol was away, I got a call asking if da coat might stay at camp Where it could continue the ministry it had started and was deemed a camp-champ!  
the counselor assured me that Carol's request was sincere
so I gave permission allowing the coat to stay, 
but as soon as i hung up the phone i regretted it and went to buy another one that day! 

off i went to to see if i could find another one of these incredible coats,
and with luck and good fortune ....I  found one marked at half off in another  BigLots store
and i was elated with a joy mixed with mischievousness that i danced with glee, 
 all the way to the register, to purchase another 'da coat....he he heeeee!

You should have seen my girl's face the day they returned to town, 
When she saw what i was wearing ,
Oh how quickly that smile turned into a frown, 
as i danced and giggled with joy as i wore another one of 'da coat I had found.

It became my mission to show my daughter

that 'da coat is special and she was the only doubter

so I asked many friends at church and other places

to join in some fun and put it on and make big smiley faces!

I soon began to wonder if my obsession with this coat could be due to my PD

so I took 'da coat on a trip to a PD conference to see.

Some of my Parkie friends were skeptical of it's power

but when they saw others put it on, their mind was changed in less than an hour.

This coat now has a life of it's own

if you get a chance to put it on, just do it and you'll see

it feels wonderful, it's so bright and cheery, you'll have to also put on a smile

and let me take your picture to show everyone it was worthwhile.

What once was "Judy's coat" is now referred to as 'da Coat

because it is no longer mine but it represents a community of mine

of family, friends, men and women with Parkinson's disease

who are not afraid of having some fun--thank you, try it on, please!

In July 'da coat will accompany Strong Feather Eileen of The Regulars

as a team climbs Mount Kilimangaro in Africa to raise awareness of Parkinson's and Alzheimers

I hope the coat makes it to the top, but if that should not come to be

the Regulars all are heros to people like me

You see they know that 'together we work for a cure'....

Me, you, kids, friends and many others who live ordinary lives

but make an extraordinary difference in our future

by being bold and courageous, tand helping all of us with PD to live with  hope and survive.

'da Coat has traveled near and far

it's been worn by people, animals, statues, and even a couple of preach'ars

and I've got over 400 pictures of others and such joy wearing the coat,
and although my daughter still does not like 'da coat, it will not stop my ploy

to sharing a little bit of joy along each of our pathways

Come along with me and da coat  and enjoy the little things each and every day!

If you have worn the coat and would like to tell how it made you feel, I'd like to share it with others in a selfish effort to bring awareness to Parkinson's disease!  

Thanks,

Judy Hensley ....a gal living in Tennessee diagnosed with Young onset Parkinson's disease, still determined to endure for a cure! 

judy 8/19/15