Are You Living or Just Existing?

[Veronica]

Even if I had money and no health issues I likely wouldn't do much. I kinda like puttering around the house keeping myself entertained.

Im the same. Thankfully Im in mostly good health and I have enuf cash to be comfortable. I do enjoy puttering too.
Im a professional putterer. I always have several projects going on.

After the husband passed and I was no longer involved in his care and I had all this free time on my hands.
I kept thinking I should be doing this and that. But after a while I realized I dont want to be doing this OR that.
This is way too much like work.

 

[Paulina]

When I was with my abusive ex, I mostly just existed. After I left him I had 18 glorious years of living my life to the fullest, making up for the prior 30 years.

Then my son died. After that I was just barely existing, hanging on by a thread.

I still have days like that, but I’m working hard to re-engage with my life even though I often don’t want to. The joy I used to feel is just missing now.

Same in a way. 3 years ago, on this past 6th of June, my Autistic son was able to escape his so-called safe group home. He ran up to a freeway on ramp (on foot) and was hit and run by a car. Ever since then I've just been a recluse and it's difficult for me to join the world again. I must say I am so very sorry for your loss. From my heart.

 

[hollydolly]

Wow what a beautiful place, I think I really need to take a trip to this place.

you should...it's where I was born and raised..I was born very close to Loch Lomond...

I was born and raised less than 15 miles from here

 

[StarSong]

How lovely, @hollydolly!

 

[hollydolly]

How lovely, @hollydolly!

the picture above , is balloch on Loch lomond, a small town..and in the summer when we were teens we used to drive out to Balloch or any of the other towns on Lomond, because it was just a 20 minute drive...

.... one day while we were all belting out Simon & Garfunkel songs loudly in one of the boys' cars singing along to the 8 track.. and as we drove through the back roads and fields , we suddenly we got a flat tyre . ( we were all about 17 or18) , so not knowing where we were or how far we were from town , we girls waited in the car for the boys to go and walk the country lanes to find a garage to get a new tyre.

They were gone hours, and we were beginning to get desperately thirsty and fed up.. when they came walking back rolling a tyre in front of them...

We thought they were our shining knights, until they got the tyre on and drove on, and we found we'd only been within 2 minutes of civilisation, about a mile from the town.. and we could have got out and walked ourselves..

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I'm living. My creative juices are flowing again thanks to my son and Honorary Son #3,, both of whom want me to work on their music projects. I've already started collaborating with HS#3 on his tracks and we're excited with how things are developing. Having the ability to play what they need has inspired me to get back to practicing and I will get back to working on the compositions for my next album. I've also been invited to be a co-host on HS#3's radio show. I may not do that, but am acting as his consultant and will periodically be a guest. This coming Saturday, I'll be participating in the show's round table discussion about some heavy topics.

I'm planning to go back to the gym very soon and HS#3 invited me to try walking the trail on the mountain sometimes when he goes. Now that the cold weather is gone, I intend to be out amongst nature more often. particularly by large bodies of water. I'm also getting back into my dancing (though mostly around the house). These things make me feel good.

I've got friends, who although I don't see often, talk with me on the phone. Usually a laugh fest happens. Laughing is a very important health benefit and I do it often, especially when dealing with my two aforementioned sons. Plus I have the gift of being able to make even the most down trodden laugh. I enjoy it when I can do that for someone. Lately I've been going to more social events and outings, so life is good.

 

[Dave03]

For the last six years, just existing. Having a full-on disabled person living with you entails putting your entire life on hold.

I'm not complaining. It's just how it is.