My life, my way

Good Luck, chilledlady.

Azie09 indeed, I am that Skype Granny who once a month talks to the other side of the world. Big smiles etc but really it can be very unsatisfying and often after coming off Skype I feel so sad. But do try to tell myself....It is how it is, and many have less than me.

I also totally understand the OP. It is what I try to do every day but often wonder if I am fooling myself. I have two adult children in Australia and a son more locally who we don't here from since he left his lovely wife and children. I try to count our blessings. We have each other, good health, two fabulous grandchildren here and their lovely mummy and also enough money to live quite comfortably. We are trying to enjoy every day but it is certainly not how we hoped this phase of our life would be. We miss our family so much.

chilledlady I think that you have exactly the right attitude to life......we must enjoy life while we have it, your children have done what seems right for them, so you do what is right for you.At least it means that you can choose to live anywhere that you like.?

I join you, chilledlady in celebrating all we have and accepting that children and grandchildren may not always share our lives geographically.

Good luck in living your life to the full and loving, supporting, and rejoicing in your family whilst still allowing them to live theirs where and how they choose.

I believe that is what you meant in "cutting them loose".

Cut loose by all means, and do your own thing in your own time, but keep in touch, as you get older friends and family are the path you have trodden. We moved away from our friends and family, have a different group of friends here, but our 'old' friends and family are our history,and a wander down memory lane is a wonderful experience at times.

I'm loving all the positive messages here. We all have to deal with what life handed to us. I feel that just now I am ready to move myself higher up my own priority list. So, after I visit my son and his family on their short stay in this country, and after I pay a transatlantic visit to my daughter for the arrival of her firstborn, I will find time to do stuff for myself. Balance is the key. Thanks to everyone who responded so positively.

Further to my original post, to 'have no regrets, no tears', I would like to tell everyone here that I am delighted to say that both my son and daughter have decided to spend Christmas here in the UK this year. They and their partners, and the grandchildren will be flying in a week before. A cottage is booked to accommodate all of us, and preparations for activities are underway. All arranged by them colluding on FaceTime to create a wonderful surprise for me and OH. So pleased to realise that we have brought up thoughtful caring children. Ermmm.... is it too early to start shopping...?? ??

Thats great news, and something lovely to look forward to.

That's wonderful Chilledlady and no, it isn't too early to start shopping just don't buy things, put them away and then forget you've bought them and buy something else.

Chilledlady Brilliant. I think cutting AC loose and having a go to the freedom that brings you will be divine.

That's good never too early to start thinking about Christmas ( ahem! )
Meanwhile....enjoy Summer.

How wonderful, Chilledlady! And thanks for letting us know!

Too early to start shopping? LOL! No, not at all! Dh and I always start Xmas shopping around this time - sometimes even earlier.

My advice? Shop to your heart's content! Sending you & yours beautiful Xmas wishes in advance!

You've got a great attitude, Chilledlady. Good for you! And the Christmas cottage sounds wonderful . As roses says, it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas - not if you love it as much as I do, anyway. Isn't it about time for the first advert to hit our screens?

Chilledlady, what a wonderful surprise, I fully understood your post that you accepted things as they are and was going to enjoy your life. Many of us don't do that, wishing for what they don't have.
It was lovely of your children to plan this Christmas and you can all be together. It is not too early to shop, I would be so excited as I am sure you are and would push the host out. There's all those stockings to fill for a start.
Jayana, that poster that taunted you must have a lot of problems to have turned into such a bully. I hope you didn't let it get to you because I can assure you she is the one that needs to look at herself not you.

Sorry, push the boat out. I learnt to touch type, but honestly these I pads alter everything I type, it is like having a naughty fairy on my shoulder.