The Elderly Without Children

gruntlabor said:
A payoff to get motivated?? The joy of living.
Some mornings I see no reason to get out of bed. That is the ugly head of depression trying to rise. I lay there until I think of a reason.
For many of us depression is easily fought off. We just need to find what works for us, cuddling up with a good book or a puppy, or addressing our pain, or polishing our kitchen sink, or a good deed.
8:30 pm here. Good night, all, sweet dreams.
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If only my energy would match my motivation. Tiny steps I guess.
 
I like how you describe the difference between being 60- 70 years old and being 80 plus.
People don’t understand how our bodies break down once we pass that 80 mark.
Even some 80 plus don’t seem to grasp how much harder it is for others to do things once you start having back problems.
People always say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger but at my age I know it just makes you hurt more.
 
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Warrigal said:
I have come to the realisation that my life has meaning at every age.

My husband recently fell heavily and broke his wrist. He was taken to hospital and spent a day and a half in the ED before being moved to the orthopaedic ward. I wanted him in the geriatric ward where his other issues would be addressed, The wrist is in plaster but at 80 he has a slew of health problems. After a couple of days he was taken to the new ward.

I have been going daily to help him eat; hospital food comes in difficult packaging. He has been becoming increasingly confused and has needed my presence and I need to watch over him.

Unfortunately the nice little old lady in the next bed tested covid positive and was moved out. Her replacement was an angry old man with cancer who just wanted to be left alone to die. He swore like a trooper at the nurses, especially when they wanted to give him an injection or some medication.

Now what has this to do with my understanding of the meaning of life? I felt drawn to this man, alone in the bed and clearly distressed. When Hubby was asleep I went over to offer him the Sunday newspaper if he would like it. He reacted very civilly and told me that he was blind in one eye so I asked if he minded if I stayed a while while Hubby was asleep. We had a good long yarn session and he cheered up and relaxed. Part of his problem seemed to be relating to the hospital staff because they were foreign looking to someone of his vintage. We established a link and he settled down. The next day I met his daughter and we continued our conversations.

I feel that I was the right person for him to relate to, not as a nurse or doctor, but as a friend. I was meant to be there at that particular moment in time.

I have come to the realisation that there is a purpose for each of us in life, no matter how old we become. Having children, grandchildren and extended family is one purpose but I agree with Sunny. We are all different and we each have our own purpose for breathing the air of planet Earth. Find that purpose and life will always have meaning, no matter how old you are.
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Your story was moving, @Warrigal! I agree with everything you said. Especially "there is a purpose for each of us in life, no matter how old we become." I had even written a poem about it years ago!
 
gruntlabor said:
Catch-22.
:) I've been criticized for starting a new thread when an old one would do. And many here have been criticized for posting on an old thread.
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I mentioned it because the post above mine was specifically directed to the OP:
GP44 said:
I like how you describe the difference between being 60- 70 years old and being 80 plus.
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gruntlabor said:
Okay, I guess, but I was hoping for a flame war with StarSong
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;) Nah... I was just pointing it out. SF gets lots of what I call Seagull posters. They fly overhead, drop a load or two and leave shortly thereafter. Meantime, other members continue replying, not just to the thread but specifically to the OP.
 
gruntlabor said:
😍You're a poet, Veronica.
Motivation! It's what makes the coyote chase the chicken. Easier to just starve.
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That could be. Sadly, Ive become lazy and unmotivated, so my chicken chasing days are over. :D

gruntlabor said:
Catch-22.
:) I've been criticized for starting a new thread when an old one would do. And many here have been criticized for posting on an old thread.
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If the old thread is still relevant why start a new one. Sometimes theres good info on the old one that could go unread.
Now if its somebody asking something time sensitive in 2022 then giving them a solution in 2026 probably wont be that helpful.
I wont criticize you if you dont criticize me. 🐔🐔🐔
 
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