Just imagine in a few days ….

A year ago I left hospital with a new hip. I had a 2nd cataract operation in June so can thread a needle again, and lots of other things.

I had hoped to be out of this big house by now but it's a long way off still.

Looking back I have had some lovely times but sad ones too. Losing a dear friend and missing DH more than ever.

I have plenty to do and plans to make. I'm off on holiday next week.

The DGC are growing up so quickly and I see less of them. However not moaning, just saying.

I am conscious that many of you have great sadnesses and worries.

Thinking today of FGT, Primrose, Lala
💐

watermeadow

In old age things never improve, they just get worse.
The hills get steeper and the shopping gets heavier. I can’t reach high enough nor low enough, I walk slower and use a stick.
I worry about being able to pick up my dog’s poo in the future and whatever will happen to her if I die before her.

But there are always solutions, get a shopping bag on wheels or order online, then walks can avoid hills. leave top and bottom shelves empty. We do not have a dog but DH uses one of those long armed grabbers to pick things off the floor.

I intend to drink my life down to the last dregs and do my best to actively enjoy every second of it. It is an attitude of mind.

In old age things never improve, they just get worse.
The hills get steeper and the shopping gets heavier. I can’t reach high enough nor low enough, I walk slower and use a stick.
I worry about being able to pick up my dog’s poo in the future and whatever will happen to her if I die before her.

Primrose
Layla
Such heartache and such bravery.
So many of you weathering your storms and warm hugs
Peace on earth and small miracles would be my wish probably same for all of you.

When we began 2025 I had no hopes that DH would see another Christmas but he's still here and doing great. No one seems to know why he's responded so well to the cancer therapies, the oncology team all seem a bit bemused when we talk to them. There is still a chance he will have to lose his bladder and possible a kidney, but he's still alive so it's a win for me. I can't ask for more from 2026 than I got from 2025.

I think you have to look on the positive it’s what keeps us going. I lost my dear brother last year and retired recently so I am trying to look forward to some me time doing what I want when I want.

2025 had ups and downs for us, but also plenty to both moan about and feel blessed about.

2026 will be about the same I guess, looking forward to Spring, my daughter, her wife and their 3 adorable, but hard work, mini sausage dogs will finally be looking for a home of their own!! Hopefully followed by their sis and bro in 2027 (not together haha) Then “real” retirement can begin! 🙏🙏

I'm hoping for a General Election, though unlikely. We desperately need a PM with a backbone who won't lick the boots of HRH King Donald, won't act the buffoon (Boris) and won't throw the economy down the toilet (Truss aided and abetted by Kwarteng).

I can only wish, it seems.

Lala

Posts like yours put everything into perspective.

I know full well I don’t always appreciate the blessings I have.

I must try and alter that.

Sending you

...and to all those who have had a difficult year, personal losses, health problems with loved ones or your own ailments. A better 2026

I have just read your post Lala with tears in my eyes especially with regard to those last moments you had together. Absolutely heartbreaking to lose your 20 year old son, I am so, so sorry for your staggering loss.

Wishing you and your family peace in 2026, understandably you have a lot to come to terms with.

Lots of wonderful things in 2025 with family, we're so blessed to have children and grandchildren. But also the lowest point for any parent as I held my 20 year old son in my arms as he took his last breaths. His favourite carer holding his other hand and my daughter, sister and niece around the bed too. We sang to him and told him how much we love him, and waited as his breathing rate slowed. He wasn't alone for a moment in the last days and nights.

I have never liked the New Year, too many losses over the years.
Lots of problems last few years but also also good moments.
Wish everyone good health and happiness in 2026"

Sending to both Primrose and FGT.

I follow your posts, and feel for both of you.

Oh Primrose. I’m sending you a big hug and wishing you and your family all the luck in the world. Please let 2026 be much improved for you all 🤞🍀

Primrose53 I am sending you an all encompassing enormous (((hug)))
I sincerely hope 2026 is kind and gentle to you and your 🙋‍♀️

Oh Primrose you SO deserve some ‘me time’ in 2026 dear lady. You’ve had more than your fair share of worries in 2025 and I admire your fortitude very much.

Wishing ‘all the best’ to you - and your family. xx

I just wish for a better year than this! My husband had a major haemorrhagic stroke at the end of 2024. He is now much changed and all his right side is affected so he is mainly in a wheelchair with just one working hand and that’s not his dominant hand. He gets very depressed as he was so active before. Of course my life has totally changed now. I seldom get out, I spend my life caring now and driving to hospitals and GP appointments. I have needed an eye test since last June but literally there is no time for anything to do with me.

On top of that my son was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and after a very worrying time when they did not know whether it was even operable 8 hour surgery went ahead. This has been very successful and he feels really well but now starts 6 months of chemo in early January. This involves a 60 mile round trip every time and either taking my husband with us or leaving him at home alone for at least 6 hours.

Our horse had to be put to sleep a few months ago and, after 20+ years we miss her massively.

I am hoping for a bit of “me time” in 2026 and no more health issues. Happy New Year and good health to all.

sodapop thank you.
All good wishes from me too.

My wishes are much the same as BlueBelle's and hope our health stays on an even keel for 2026.
One of our little dogs has cancer and only a few months left so hoping we can give her love and a peaceful end to her life.
Hope everyone on GN has improved health and peace in the New Year.

M0nica I’m sorry your DH has lost that connection. My opera company is also around 20 miles away.
Before I returned to it, I joined a music club around the corner, a very informal group with performers playing and singing all kinds of music.
It would be good if you had something similar close to you.
Even if your DH is not up to singing, he could go along and enjoy the meet up.

We go into the New Year having finally moved house, the selling/moving process having taken nearly 2 years but with much of the unpacking incomplete, it only made it out of storage 2 weeks ago, and we managed Christmas by the skin of our teeth.

The central heating is working, if not complete and we hope by the end of the year that our house renovation will be close to complete and we will have built up a social life in our new location.

hollysteers opera is DH's greatest loss in our move. He has been singing/producing/musical directing/stage crew in 'real' opera groups for nearly 60 years. The nearest group to our new location is now 20 miles away and his health is just not up to making a round trip of 40 miles at night in all weathers.to weekly rehearsals. He had done a similar round trip for years where we used to live but that had become too much for him in our last year in our previous home and heart problems make singing very difficult.

A reasonable year for me, they go by so quickly! I returned to a small opera co I left over ten years ago and it’s been good to see old pals there. I’m enjoying drawing and painting and this year went to Greece and then to the Bahamas with my flying DD as a cling on as well as many trips in the U.K., I love travelling.

I too am still enjoying Christmas, I do the whole twelve days and can’t understand anyone taking their decs’ down before that. On the sad side, two close friends died, one ran a unique bookshop and it has been closed down (vandalised) and the other had played the piano for me for many years.

I have never liked New Year, it rather frightens me, a whole year rolling in..
If only peace could come to pass in the world 🙏🏻

I'm still enjoying Christmas... not ready to go into 2026 yet- even though this was (and is still) a difficult year.
🎄

With family changes on the horizon the equivalent of a large rock in the family pond I’m afraid for 2026 but also hopeful the positives will outweigh the (many) negatives.

More light will be wonderful, new growth in the garden always lifts spirits. It’s a chance to re-set both expectations and the ‘how’ of life to encompass reduced energy and mobility issues in Mr C and increasing chronic pain lodging in me. It can be done! We’ll adapt and adjust, there will still be positives as we learn to navigate life differently. I’d just rather we didn’t need to do it and yes, if I think too far ahead I am fearful which needs acknowledging too.