Are you ENDURING OR ENJOYING

I think the film ‘fancythat’ was referring to at 8.30.04 is ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. It is a marmite film. Some will find it uplifting, some will find it’s a bit schmaltzy. Each to his own. I thought it was ok for a Christmas film, and certainly better than some.

I'm delighted to hear that kitty You always seem so positive.

Sympathies to you FGT.

2026 is not going to be good for DH and I am hoping hoping my blood cancer remission will last through 2026. I can't deal with both. Well will have to if that is what happens.
Chin up everyone.

I am definitely enjoying. During lockdown I started writing and this now fills my days. It has take off beyond my most wildest dreams….to be truthful I didn’t have any …it just kept me sane during lock down. Now I am meeting new people, giving talks etc. Who would have thought it…? not me

I am enjoying life now, I had a major blip 2+ years ago and really wanted to die, thankfully I am now over that and can enjoy my life again.

I am deeply scarred due to an abusive upbringing so when things go wrong for me it hits me hard.

We have great supportive community on Gransnet, I am always so grateful for all the prayers offered for Hannah who by the way is making wonderful progress.

I hope the posters who are struggling can find some joy in 2026.

Wishing you all a peaceful, healthy and happy 2026.

I took am deeply scarred by an abusive, neglectful childhood. I watched my mother being beaten on a regular basis and was badly beaten on one occasion myse

myself. I had all my teeth taken out ages 11 and was bullied relentlessly because of it. My head used to be alive with nits. I was taken out of class aged 7, put in a van without a word and taken to a clinic to be deloused. My mother died when my youngest sister was 14. My brother took his own life, my nephew died of leukemia at 16. My husband was diagnosed with cancer and then blue lighted to AE last year with a virus. I have lost all my hair. What's to enjoy?

Sago and Kate1949 it makes me really sad to read your posts and I feel I should not have posted mine in light of your experiences. But there is always hope. Sounds perhaps a little trite but true nonetheless the less. I hope you both have a really wonderful 2026.

Not at all JamesandJon We all have different life experiences. All are valid.

JamesandJon33

Sago and Kate1949 it makes me really sad to read your posts and I feel I should not have posted mine in light of your experiences. But there is always hope. Sounds perhaps a little trite but true nonetheless the less. I hope you both have a really wonderful 2026.

Not at all trite, I want to see and hear joy.

The thread is asking if we are enduring or enjoying, I was enduring but am now enjoying.

I hope this gives someone hope.

Definitely enduring at the moment. Health is seriously rubbish just now - in constant pain, out of breath, heart problems - can't do all the things I want and need to.
Miserable and frustrating - but what is to do but just bash on?

Kate and FGT - how sad.

oh my! so much here, I can`t bear to comment..ok. I have little to complain of, well I am old, 89, healthy for my age, high bp, heart issues,,kidney stuff. but I can get out, Ihave two ladies who I can get out with, family there for me, but not overly.. home, cat,, but I think it is mental thing with me,, I am trying.. have so much to be "grateful" for,, that is the thing at the moment,, think gratitude.. I do worry for the world, at times I can worry for the universe.

I'm on a bit of a downer at the moment, 1st Christmas without mum, she passed away in October, found out yesterday son and daughter in law booked last minute holiday abroad including 9 of her family, it would have been nice to be asked, so doing our own thing and booked a cottage in Devon for me and hubby, no point sitting at home feeling miserable, life's too short

I feel very fortunate that I do enjoy my life and have endured many ups and downs which you don’t need to be bored with
I was going for a walk as other half is at the allotment burning wood! But! I am taking advice on here and going to sit , read, knit and stroke my manic cat!
Life throws us many curve balls but we have resilience to dig into! Few of us are unscathed by life’s events ! Nevertheless my glass is half full so I wish you all a positive 2026 with the courage to get out there and grab at life!

Hi I live in Baildon West Yorkshire I think you sound really positive so if you organise a meet up please can I be included?
Happy 2026
Sue

Well life is naturally a mixture. I’m not a fan of Christmas and new year stuff, so enduring to a degree. But in a few weeks, I’ll probably be enjoying again!

Despite loving caring parents my childhood was difficult because of health and other problems.

After thhat thing scould only get better. I still remember clearly the day I got the letter from my first choice university saying my place was confirmed and the letter from the county council confirming my maintenance grant. Not a full one , my father earned too much.

I took these letters to the bank for them to make decisions about over draft limits etc (I think it was £20). Walking home from the bank I was suddenly suffused with happiness. My life was finally my own for ill or good. I would make my own decisions and have to live with them.

Since then I have enjoyed life. It has had its periods of endurance, but nothing I could not survivewith.

FGT

Enjoying. I'm happy and content.

Not enjoying life too much at the moment. I had a knee replacement in October and it’s still so painful, making me feel so down. Didn’t realise it would be so sore for so long. Looking forward to it getting better.

madeleine45

My dear GrandMattie, I am sorry to hear that you feel life is just enduring at the moment and hope that something new comes into your life that you might enjoy. There will be lots of new courses coming up in the new year, perhaps you might look down the list and see if there is something you fancy trying that you have never done before. Could you think back to what you always wanted to do from years ago, and perhaps give it a go?

I have always loved roaming around and travelling. While you are still fit and well , if you can afford it, what about doing a bit of wandering.? I would love it if you came up this way and would like to meet you, perhaps in York, and would be very happy to take you up around my precious dales in my car.

If you are into art there are many art galleries that could be visited, and up here there are also places that you can see some of the wonderful Mouseman woodwork, go to the coast and see the funicular, visit Harlow Carr RHS gardens , a very different area from your home. I always think this is a great time to visit museums, art galleries etc., as there are no crowds and you can make a picnic and hop on a bus and have a very cheap day out and finally get to see something you have wanted to for ages. This is always a rather miserable time of year, so another possibility would be right now to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself to a sauna, go for a swim and perhaps there is a jacuzzi to try, and what about any new cafes or restaurants you have seen arrive but not tried? A coffee doesnt cost much more in a very posh place than the usual cafe and it is a chance to look around and see if it is somewhere you want to treat yourself to a lunch sometime with a friend. Another simple possibility is give yourself permission to have a day off. By which I mean just stay at home but put your feet up, read your new book, absolutely ignore any form of housework or cooking and dont feel guilty about it. Well hope something might strike a chord with you and I would love to meet you if you decide on a trip up here. At the very least could we try and organise a few GN get togethers in various areas of the country.? It would be very good to put a name to a face and know what someone looks like after many months of written contact.

What a lovely post Madeleine45.

Enjoying! I love my courses and have made many like-minded friends from them. I volunteer for the church and am on the local WI committee, again have lots of friends the these. Six years ago I started relearning the piano, which I love. And I have close friends of many years who I do day trips and theatre with.
I do hope you find something that helps you to enjoy life GrandMattie, there is so much out there and so many ways to contribute.

Kate1949 compared to you I have nothing to complain about. I was verbally abused by my Father, but nothing like you endured. The old Bastard is dead now and I won't let his words into my head anymore.

I admire you Kate you came through, I hope 2026 is good for you and everyone else on here who are going through a bad time.

I am in pain at the moment but have been out. I am going to take painkillers and buck up. I have been invited to my daughters, but will decline and go out with herSaturday instead.

I wish everyone a happy new year.

FGT, Kate1949
I didn't have a very happy childhood, grew up in a single parent family with no money and little love. Once I married, through hard work and some luck, I and DH now have a very comfortable life and want for nothing. But most of all, I have a lovely little family, 2 sons who remain close to us, their lovely wives, who I think the world of, and best of all 4 grandchildren. So much more love than I could ever imagine. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, DH has had some health issues, and I am a real worrier and have suffered from anxiety. I remember well what unhappiness feels like and count my blessings every day that I have my family and can and am able to enjoy my life.