Do you have purpose in your life?

No, just wonderful!

Absent - I don't think your daughter would agree that you are not useful! You will certainly be very important in helping her to reach her goal in NZ.

I have been much happier since I accepted that I am not going to write a brilliant novel, become Prime Minister, or save the world. Now, my aim in life is simply to enjoy it, which includes enjoying being able to give support to family and friends.
If don't think life has a purpose - the urge to procreate is very strong in all organisms (otherwise, the species would not have survived) but to say that is a purpose suggests it was planned by someone or something, which I don't believe. It has just happened through a random coming together of suitable climatic conditions and raw materials.

Since becoming disabled I have thought I didn't have a purpose. Everyone has to do so much for me that I feel totally useless. My GC tell me I am a great nana and love to spend time with me but I can play games with them, run around, take them for long walks but I do crafts, write them stories, read to them it seems there is always something I can do. I do prepare meals with my husband's help so I need to believe in ME!

BurgundyGran You obviously do have a real purpose...your love for your family is just that. I admire you.

Burgundygran - soop has said it so well and I agree. Your very presence is good for your family and I am sure they would all miss you greatly.

I have never had a life plan or purpose,I have never followed any particular path,I just go where life leads me and make the best of wherever I end up,for me I am sure that I have adapted to changes in my life and restrictions because I can just go with the flow,I might not have made a mark on the world on my journey but have had lots of fun on the way and left a few footprints behind

My purpose in life (for the time being) is to finish reading The Jewel In The Crown.

Nellie - I have also taken various paths through pure chance - like seeing an advert for trainee tax inspectors in an old copy of The Independent which I found on a train. In general, these serendipitous choices have worked out well. I think it is a matter of being ready to exploit any opportunities that come your way.

nellie What's more, you're dear singed-bottomed Donald's keeper... and my mate!

Go away, soop - she is my mate, not yours and if you don't agree I will meet you in the playground after school.

Greatnan...shall tell my Mum...!

My mother is tougher than your mother (Oh, no, she is dead - well, I will bring my big grandsons, so there!

I am a gran and I am 60 and widowed.
I have cared for my father and I am caring for my mother in law.
I also take my grandchildren to hospitals, dentists etc.
Really it would be difficult for me to go away for more than a week and people do say I should go on a round the world cruise etc.
I do think I am lucky to have a family even though they cause problems.

Rose

Great Watch it! My big grandson is 6' 2.5"...so there...and, he's very broad shouldered and ...........

I'm sure they all appreciate you, Rosedia - although it must be very hard work. You are entitled to a break; do you get any help with caring for your MIL?

Now now soop and greatnan play nicely girls
It is nice to be needed rose...much better to be wanted as well....go on your cruise and have your fun come home refreshed,they will manage without you,if you become Ill who will look after you,if you wasn't around they would have to cope.

Rose if you need to be told you are allowed to go we hereby give you permission to spoil yourselfxxxx

Hi Anagram

I do not really get any breaks.
My mother in law is a fan of the 60's and 70's which is the music I like.
Often she spots the break before I do and wants me to take her.
We tend to go away for 3 / 4 day breaks.
A few weeks she spotted a Dusty Springfield tribute break but it was on a chalet park with dinner bed and breakfast included.
I was a little bothered on how we would get on as it was a chalet park.
Warners put us in the nearest chalet to the entertainment and roped off a parking space for us.
Other holiday makers came for walks with us and helped push the wheel chair on longer walks.
My mother in law can walk about a four hundreds yards and then needs a rest and then walks another 400.
The holiday went well.
The only compromise we had to make was we had to go in a standard chalet which will be refurbished at the end of this year but they said that chalet will be top class if we go next year.

Rose

Rosedia - it is good that you are able to take your MIL on holiday, but surely it is time for you to have some time to yourself. Could she not stay with your child/children for a week to give you a break? After all, you obviously do a lot of running around for them. Have you ever suggested that they might help you out now and again?

My purpose in life today is to get off this 'puter and get some sun - while it's out!

j04
Ditto!

I believe that as well as needing a purpose in life be it work, writing that novel, writing poetry, to run a marathon -whatever your purpose is but I think we all want to be needed. Children, grandchildren, husbands wives, parents, in laws, nieces, nephews the list is endless.

When we had young children I was tied up in their lives school, dancing, gymnastics, horse riding I never stopped being the chauffeur. College, university the usual they moved away and I was working full time then my husband became ill and I was working, doing exams at adult education, looking after him and I was a Guide Leader! Phew. Then the girls came home!

I was back working, adult education, husband was better but not 100%, Guides, swimming, going away for work; busy, busy, busy. One daughter left and had a baby with her partner the other was never there. Out of the blue I had a stroke. I became reliant on others and was not the carer anymore. Gave up work as I couldn't cope.

Life was so different, from being in charge I was the 'patient.' Since then I have got worse with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, thyroid problems, diabetes, degeneration of my lumbar area and herniated disc in the neck and other health problems. It is devastating when you have been so busy. The problem is not just the pain, inflammation it is the fatigue that gets so bad. I have to use a wheelchair which means I am pushed around and no independence.

We do take the grandchildren that live with us out and about but it isn't like when they go out with their parents. I can do crafts with them and they always want to 'make something' I have made some bracelets, saying rheumatoid arthritis, I have diabetes and I have asthma. Also some keyrings for my daughters with their childrens' names on them. My older gd wants one saying 'I love mummy' and my older gs wants one with his best friend's name on it! So out come the alphabet beads and elastic I feel useful again! I make cards too and my favourite hobby is photography. I use my pictures for cards too.

I get hugs and kisses from the grandchildren and the little one of 28mths always picks me wild flowers when he and his mum go to get the bread in the village. It takes ages to walk back apparently as he stops to pick dandelions! Lovely gift and I have to put them in water!!!

I make bread my bread in the bread maker my husband loves it and helps me by weighing flour and getting the water. I make cakes with his and he or the gc help with that especially as the children always want mamie's cake or biscuits.

Being needed is very important, for me and for them.

Burgundy...a bouquet of dandelions, carefully picked and presented with love. That makes you a very special grandmother.

Go on that cruise! They are great!

I have intentions, plans, things to do, people (and cats) to love and care for, work to complete, but my existence has no purpose. It just is.