Michael’s Marathon For Parkinson’s

For my grandmother Maxine, going the extra mile has always been second nature. As a young boy, I can remember frequenting Perusso dry cleaners next to Jimbo's Italian Beef shop where Maxine worked for decades.  Best as I can tell, the cleaners served as a sort of last ditch destination on days when all the regular babysitters were busy. After handing me off to my grandmother at the front counter, Maxine would gently take my hand and guide me through a dense forest of hanging garments. Some wrapped in clear plastic, others exposed and ripe with the smell of moth balls and old people, we'd slowly make our way to the back of the cleaners where her closet-like office quarters were located.  Once inside, my grandmother sat me down in the spare swivel chair usually reserved for Mr. Perusso.

As office manager, bookkeeping was central to grandma's duties, and as I'd watch her toil hunched over a heaping pile of receipt paper and invoices she'd remind me that the fastest way to get the job done is to do it right the first time. As I revolved slowly in my swivel chair, staring at the ceiling as I spun, the seeds of my own work ethic began to germinate. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get the heck outta here and go SWIMMIN!!" If Maxine isn't having a good time, she's making sure more good times are close ahead. You see, my grandmother's definition of "going the extra mile" meant deploying her seemingly limitless wit and ingenuity in service of spending more time with those she loved. Doing the hard work in between was a means to an end, of a brand new batch of laughs, drinks, memories shared. 

In the spring of 2020, following the death of my grandfather Bob who - alongside Maxine shared a life bursting at the seams with love and generosity over 60 years together - my grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This heart-shattering news, while only beginning to reckon with the passing of her beloved spouse under the crippling emotional weight of a COVID lockdown. It would be easy to understand why any of us would simply give up; call it a good run, pack it in and let the good Lord take us home ASAP.

Not Maxine though. Not without her own up and down moments familiar to us all during those early pandemic days, my grandmother showed a remarkable and inspiring resolve - joining a Bible study, tending to her own emotional and physical well being, most importantly reveling in the bliss of great-grandmotherhood. Maxine's final act has proven to be the one where she goes the extra mile for herself, navigating her later years with the same beauty, grace and gut busting sense of humor that has been enchanting all who have known her in seasons past. It may well be her finest act yet.

This year I am running the Chicago Marathon for the Parkinson's Foundation, whose vision is to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. It would mean a great deal if you would consider a donation of 26 dollars to help advance this life changing work, and I'll run a mile as fast as I can for every dollar! In the spirit of my grandmother's inspiring journey with Parkinson's and her lifelong commitment to going the extra mile, I want to thank you for taking a moment to read a shorthand account of the heroism Maxine has embodied for myself and countless others, and appreciate your partnership in honoring her story with a financial contribution in whatever amount you are able!

P.S. - I could use as much encouragement as possible come Sunday, October 10 if a $ donation isn't an option for you at this time! If you'd be interested in screaming nice things at me as I zoom past, let me know and I will get you connected with the cheerleading squad :)

Much Love and Gratitude,

- Michael