Selfish I know

Bookr, I too am very hard of hearing and a bilateral hearing aid user. I'm not lonely because I'm very self contained and happy with my own company. However, I'm saddened to learn about the challenges you are coping with. I've never learned BSL but I can lip read a bit. A mobile phone would be useful for you to use text messaging to keep in touch with others. I watch TV with sub titles, can't manage without it. Please keep your chin up, make sure you go for a walk each day and try to believe that this too will pass. We'll all come out stronger for it. Deafness is isolating at the best if times but please keep looking ahead and try to use this down time to learn something new, if that's possible. I'm thinking of you especially as I'm not a biological granny but I do have step great grandchildren/babies serving the UK diplomatic service in another country. I miss them so much. Take care of yourself, keep your personal standards up. I use perfume and lipstick every day just to give myself a lift. This morning I trimmed my fringe quite successfully! Made me laugh. How daft is that? Thinking of you and sending you the biggest hug ever! Xx

My newest grandchild was born in early January so I didn’t miss the newborn stage - it’s now, when she’s really turning into a little person, smiling and trying to ‘talk’ that I really wish we could be there.
Dd sends masses of photos and little videos, though, of all 3 of them, so I do count myself very lucky.

I feel sorry for all those missing grand babies . Mine are 15,14,13,13,and an 8 year old . Two are in wales so I don’t see them much anyway . I live with my daughter and her family so I see 14 year old constantly and the little 8 year old FaceTimed me this morning to show me the drawings that she has been doing and the rainbow she has in the Window. I’m having a lovely break from the school run x

Booker, yes, best wishes to you. Can you use a tablet or computer, it’s not too late to learn sign language. There will be lots of basis lessons to try, and when this is all over and it will be, get in touch with your library who might be able to point you in the right direction to get help. People are generally kind and would want to help.
It’s hard to make friends when you feel so insecure. But do make the big effort to learn Sign language. I went to sign classes 25 years, my niece is deaf, I found it very rewarding, like anything new it’s challenging, but daily learning will help pass the time. You are very articulate and I’m sure you will be able to turn things around. You could write to your son, send him your love, until you can see him again. X

My beloved sister is I'll and frail 150 miles away in a Nursing home. I saw her for 10 minutes 2 weeks ago in Hospital and I may not see her again. I'm in pieces just thinking about it.

Bookr. I'm not a grandparent either! I found a charity online that helps the deaf, you may know of them already. Send them an email
[email protected]
Do keep writing on gransnet, you seem a very nice lady and you're not alone. x

Hi Ladies, I’m so sad to read all of you lovely ladies are struggling missing your grandchildren. I decided I’d go and visit my granddaughters ( through the window!) I’m lucky enough to live 25 minutes car ride... and stood in the front garden chatting away to my 4 year old granddaughter who took it all in her stride and knew we couldn’t hug because of the naughty bugs. It helped immensely, but I did cry on the way home! If anyone is feeling lonely, feel free to drop me a message, I’m working nights in a care home looking after wonderful clients with very advanced Dementia, so if I don’t answer right away, I’ll answer during the night! Stay safe everyone ( and no it doesn’t matter if you don’t have grandchildren Bookr, we are all in this together ❤️?❤️

Congratulations to all of you new and soon to be Grandparents. It sounds from the messages I've read that all the babies are well and I'm sure you are all thrilled by that. Have you all thought about keeping a diary for them. In these unusual times it will be something to go through with them when they are older about how we survived , what we did and what was happening around the world. Save newspapers as well. Hopefully they will be the only generation to start life like this.
Please try and keep your chins up be brave and remember you are thought by your Gransnet friends.

How to handle this ?
I’ve known a neighbour ( good friend ) for 15 years. We meet once a week for cinema/meal or chat/drink. We do all our talking face to face and only text to make arrangements and never phone as neighbour says she doesn’t know how to use her phone to call and won’t answer main phone. We have always known she has a dislike/ phobia about ailments etc and that she would never be a support if I was in that situation. Knowing it and experiencing it is now proving a bit shocking to me. Have had broken wrist for 3 weeks, 1st week and a bit she texted and brought in a few bits shopping for me, but since got full cast on, she said you’ll be much better now and have not heard from her. Since lockdown met once at corner shop, where she bought said goodbye and didn’t wait ( can sort of understand that under present circumstances). Would miss meeting up ( when we eventually get through virus ) but can I get over her attitude and just accept everyone isn’t a caring helper when in need.

I think so many people are isolated and feel alone.
I am sorry for the people who are unable to see grandchildren.
A family friend's funeral was the other day and only 6 people at a short service,sad for the family.
I feel devastated that I can not see DD who only lives 2 miles away,DH is really unwell and on the severely at risk list.
Thanks for all the support you all give us all.
Keep well and happy. You are still loved by family and friends even if you cannot meet in person

Very best of luck to you, Merryweather. You are bound to be unhappy because the control and some choices are being denied you. But, please don’t be terrified, don’t let this vile virus spoil the fact that you are getting a prize, a new little life for you and your partner, and so much celebration, joy and happiness will come out of this. Stay calm, stay well and stay strong. I’m sure it’ll be ok, just try to focus on how happy you’re going to be. We only get to go out for essentials, if we’re lucky. You however get a little human to come home with. Big hugs (( )) from France ??

Bookr, I'm sorry you are feeling so low I hope you can take comfort from your new virtual friends. There are lots of kind people on GN who will give you good advice and try to help with your problems.
I hope you take comfort from the replies you receive x

Hi overthhill,I am a bit like you my daughter is always very busy works full time so I am getting more calls than usual which is lovely but oh I have had a meltdown today it is my first grandsons 18th birthday I looked after him as a baby and we are very close ,we were all going up to celebrate with him today ,we have always been there for there birthdays but can’t go because of the situation and I am heart broken have FaceTimed and just joined in singing happy birthday thank god for the Internet and I know it is selfish of me to think of myself but I am not like that I am very caring and look after my elderly mum who has dementia so the boys are my release from other problems ,thanks for listening sorry rant over love to everyone hope you are all keeping well.???‍♀️

There is a tornado coming in the area where my eldest DD and her family live. As if they hadn't got enough to content with.

Yes I was wondering that too Conni7 life must be very difficult for them. I hope they are getting the help they need.

Bookr & Laurensnan: ((hugs))

My daughter is due to give birth next week and it is her first child. I was also meant to be birthing partner and she was distraught at first and I was terribly upset. But she now says she would rather I am safe and alive to see baby in a few weeks rather than never. I am still worried about how she will cope, but luckily she has a lovely partner to help when she comes home. It seems so unfair - but thank you for these posts - it makes me feel less alone. Take care everyone x

I have been wondering how all the people whose houses were flooded are coping with this. I haven't seen any reference on the news.

Bookr
We have a community group set up on Facebook in my area and they are all so lovely helping each other out etc. Maybe there is similar in you area?
My mum is 80 and deaf and alone so I worry about her so much. I take her shopping and we chat from a distance. I've set up some online games for her on a tablet... All new to her but she's giving it a go!
She knits for charity and finds that rewarding.
It's so hard and I do totally feel for you. Try to reach out to the local community x

@Carolanne557 We have a new grandson joining the family on Thursday (planned caesarean), but as they are over 200 miles away - I have no idea how long it will be before we get to meet him. For their previous son we stayed up there and I believe we were helpful even if it was just keeping food arriving at regular intervals. The fact we can do nothing to help this time hurts a lot but in the grand scheme of things, it is what it is. We will be on Skype etc and I know our DS will keep us up to date and will. provide us with plenty of photos. They are currently healthy and please god that continues as they have been isolating for 2 weeks now knowing this was coming soon. Every best wish for your family and I will be thinking of you.

Our baby is due in 8 days. My partner isn’t permitted to even be present during the section or after the birth. I know we will be in the hospital for at least three days due to my medical conditions. Grandparents will not be able to visit until after the lockdown as they live hours away and or have medical conditions which puts them at risk.
I’m terrified to be quite honest. I want my partners help post surgery as being disabled every time baby needs feeding I will have to call the staff to pass him to me so I can breastfeed. That’s not likely to happen in a full ward where staff are limited but I will have no choice. I can’t get up or out of bed as the epidural has to remain in situ for three days at least.
My partner is being robbed of seeing his one and only child being born. It’s awful. My obstetrician is in isolation to so instead of the friendly face I’ve grown t know and trust I have someone completely different wanting to do everything differently too. My girls were both born early and by emcs so this birth will be just as bad if not worse.

It is important to know we are not alone, andcin the main, we can all think of someone worse off than us. Keep strong out there, and knowing we are all in this together helps. Let's hope our day bring us something to hold on to.?

Bookr. Welcome. Why don’t you look the the gentle threads 1. Good morning (day). Every day opened by Michael/Mick. And also soop’s kitchen which is very friendly. There is another supportive thread called “the black dog gang”.
Do you do anything crafty/creative?

Laurensnan, I am very sorry for your loss.

As for grandkids, it is hard. Our new granddaughter was born on Tuesday and all we have had is a glimpse of her from the end of the drive, as they daren't come any closer. However, there has been photos, videos and talks on WhatsApp, so that is a blessing. We have to see baby's 2 big sisters - 8 and 10 - that way, though they used to spend lots of time with us and sleep over at our house. We miss them.

We are used to seeing our other grandkids online, as they are in the USA. It is our eldest grandson that I worry about. The younger 3 are safely at home with mum and dad but he lives with his girlfriend. I wonder how careful he is being about the virus. He promises me he is taking care, but you know what young men are like. They think they are invincible.

There must be many people in the same situation. My son’s first baby is due, in Australia, mid May. Obviously my trip over has had to be postponed indefinitely, and I’m very sad about it. This virus has a lot to answer for.
In the grand scheme of things, though, it’s not that important. We will, hopefully, see our new babies eventually. Many people won’t ever see their relations and friends again, even to say Goodbye to them.
Best wishes to all the mums about to give birth. Right now is an extra-scary time to do so. I was born 6 weeks before the war started. I often wonder how it must have been for my mum, with a small boy and a new baby, wondering what the future held.