How life can change in the turn of a sixpence

My lovely dippy sister died this afternoon having been diagnosed with inoperable brain tumour in early June. She chose to tell not a soul, not her children or her siblings. She collapsed with a seizure at home a week last Sunday, and we found out from her hospital records.
She didn't want us to treat her differently in what she knew were here last weeks.
Devastated doesn't come close.
So yes, make the most if every day.

We never know what's around the corner and have to get the most out of life while we still can.

HannahLois what a very sad message from you. Thank you for being brave enough to share it with us all.

Hugs and flowers (sorry my main computer doesn't do flowers) to you.

Hannahlois, I am so deeply sorry x

So very sorry Hannah, what a terrible shock for you all. x

Hannah what a tremendous shock,may I simply send you my sympathies.

Elenkalubleton, thanks for the reference which directed me to Dr Joe Dispenza's TED talk about compassion, forgiveness, and how to do it, based upon the sort of reasoning that cognitive behavioural therapy does.
He is good communicator, his theory makes sense, and I will return and watch his other TED talks.

Hannah Lois, I send my condolences.

What you really are saying is make the most of today and every day that comes because the future will always be uncertain.

So sorry HannahLoisLuke.
20 months ago, a few weeks after our 53rd wedding anniversary, my husband died. He`d suffered ill health for 3 years previously, but was finally coming out on top, then he became poorly, was admitted to hospital with a bowel blockage, and less than a month later he died.
I`m not too badly off financially, have had a few jobs done on the house, but cannot stop this feeling of almost constant misery, whilst trying to appear cheerful to my kids, who have been amazingly helpful. My eldest daughter is still at home, she`s disabled with rheumatoid arthritis, can hardly walk or do much for herself, but then again I`m not much use to her, as I`m not too mobile myself, and every time I move something hurts. I do try not to be full of self pity, and know that there are many worse off than me, but it`s so hard at times.

Thank you all for your kind messages.

So sad to read these posts of loss; the price of love is very high.

How absolutely dreadful Hannahlois It puts things into perspective.

Condolences to Hannah and {flowers} to you all, life is so hard and unfair at times.

(((hugs))) callgirl.

Hannah I'm sorry for your loss and, as kate said, thank you for being brave enough to tell us.

Some of you will know that my eldest son had a life changing stroke at the age of 35. He had to change countries, initially live with us, his wife left him and he is unable to work but he is now living independently, has done an MA, written and self published an autobiography, has lots of voluntary roles, has regained his fitness (if not complete mobility) and has a good social life. Now all we need is a new wife for him.

His life changed in an instant but he has a good and happy, if different, life again.

When my sister was very ill recently one of my daughters arranged a family get-together because, she said, it had brought home to her that I wouldn’t live forever.
I am older but much fitter than my sister and there’s still so much I want to do. Ican’t afford to do any of them and wish that sixpence would turn and give me a fortune while I’m able to spend it!

Lost a good friend this week to cancer at 57. That, and these stories here make me so sad that, with the retirement age going up and up so many people are going to miss out on the time to themselves they deserve after a lifetimes work.

In my dance group three of us have become widows in the last year. This time last year, none of us could have imagined losing our husbands within the year. We continue dancing but one of the ladies used to dance with her husband and it's sad to see her coming on her own now.

Hannahlois what a terrible shock for you. I am so desperately sorry, I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.

for all whose sixpence has turned leaving them a little sadder than before.

My heart goes out to all of you for the loss of family and friends dear to you. I find myself thinking about how long me and my DH have until one or both of has serious health problems. Not something I should dwell upon because it is depressing. Enjoying each day whether we are at home or out and about is the key.

Pageturner its hard not to think about who will go first, how will the other one cope or feel. It is often there with us unspoken. Pain becomes a part of life to a lesser or greater degree. Everything is uncertain. No wonder alcohol consumption is high among older folk! All we can do is enjoy each day, tell each other - and our friends and family- that we love them. But I do wonder sometimes..why?

Deepest sympathy Hannah and indeed to others on here.

I'm so sorry to read the very sad stories of love and sudden loss on this thread. Sincere condolences.
However, sometimes, at the turn of sixpence, life can suddenly improve beyond measure. In my case the news of our impending first grandchild opened up a whole new avenue of life to us. A new person to love, new birthday parties stretching into the future, another place at the table at Christmas, songs to sing and stories to tell. That happens too on the turn of a sixpence.

Lovely positive post Jane