Lost

My mum died when I was 14 and I've lost the rest of my 'older family' so I 'get it'! I'm thinking of becoming a 'rent-a-gran lol!!!!!!

I get it. An only child, mum died when I was 32, dad when I was 50. I have OH, daughter and grandkids, but still feel the loss of unconditional love you get from parents .

I agree with the suggestion that you contact Age Concern or look for similar organisations in your area. They may know people who would like an occasional visitor and you might find someone you like.
You have to be careful because people can become a bit dependent probably without them really realising. I befriended an elderly neighbour whose wife (who was a lovely lady) died very suddenly and he was at a loss). He used to watch for me coming home from work and the phone would be ringing as I walked through the door and it got to the point that I had to walk around the block and come down the road from another direction to avoid it. It was my fault for giving him my phone number for emergencies. If I hadn't done that, it would have been fine.
Or you could volunteer to help in a charity shop. Most of the people who help out in the shops near me seem to be quite elderly. Then you would be meeting them in a mutual way and friendships would either develop or not.

Yes, join WI for sure! I joined when I was about your age, they always appreciate younger members.

Well you can talk with all of us on here Taylil101. There are often meet up and there nay be one in you area. Lots of people on here have formed friendships - keeping talking with us you don't have to be a gran to be on here. I know what you mean even though I am a bit older than you I miss not having older relatives to sit with and here their stories and ask their advice.

Join the WI. Ours is full of active young-at-heart elderlies.

When my father died (the last of that generation) my sister announced dramatically ' We are orphans now'. I did not feel like that, I was just grateful that our parents had lived longish fulfilled and happy lives and had passed on much love and wisdom to us and that my DC had a full set of grandparents until they reached adulthood. My DGC are similarly lucky with a full set of GPs and I have made sure, via photographs and reminiscence that they are learning about their family history, their GGPs and why they have some of their middle names.

Your children have not had that grandchild/Granny relationship which is more than sad, but you can make sure that they know all about their Grandmother and how much she would have loved them'.

Locally, there are many organisations short of volunteers to help at lunch clubs, or befriend lonely elderly people. Perhaps if you volunteered in this way you would be rewarded by developing friendships there.

Also feel free to join in on Gransnet, we would be happy to hear your joys and sorrows and how your children are growing up. Do any of them resemble your Mum or share her talents and characteristics?

AgeUK now.

www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/

Ah yes. You could volunteer as a befriender. Its a lovely scheme.

He does but they don’t live in this country. We see them two maybe three times a year

There are schemes for befriending older people either by phone or in the flesh - speak to your local Age Concern.

Does your OH not have older relatives?

I found it bvery difficult when at my Mums funeral my cousin reminded me she was the last of her generation and that we were now the elders in the family.No one who remembered us as babies or first days at school etc.Sadly ,it comes to us all ,and we may not like it but we have to learn to live with it.Maybe you could help at events for seniors in your area and you might strike up a friendship ...or two with older ladies who would love to speak to you.In the meantime be very grateful for what you do have and enjoy christmas and have a2018 thats full of peace and love and laughter

I am only 42 though!

Well as you get older there is no one older than you I m definitely next in line xx
You sound as if you have plenty of love around you so I d say embrace that all you can
Have a lovely Christmas with your family

Not really. We live in the country and the neighbours don’t fit the bill ?

Do you have a neighbour that might fit the bill ?