Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

The best of times...the worst of times..

(39 Posts)
ariana6 Fri 19-Aug-16 22:46:55

What was your best time and what was the worst time in your life?

For me, the best time was being 19 and in the army, travelling, working, career focused, young and footloose!
The worst time, losing my parents several years later and coping at the same time with an imploding marriage that couldn't be retrieved.
What are yours ?

Jomarie Fri 19-Aug-16 23:12:45

The year I had my second child (a daughter) was my best time and my worst was the year my father died. Loads of other ups and downs but all in all they were (to date) my best and worst.

Bbnan Fri 19-Aug-16 23:17:57

My worst time was when after 3 yrs of marriage I was told I was infertile .....my mother had 17 pregnancies ...my best 2 and 4 yrs later when I adopted 2 boys .....my very best was 13 months ago at he birth of my beautiful grandaughter

cornergran Fri 19-Aug-16 23:34:06

Worst was when Mr C was very unwell when our baby was 6 weeks old and was then sacked when he became medically unfit to drive. Best time is actually harder as there have been so many positives. Think I'd plump,for the day the mortgage was paid. After so many financial worries our home was finally safe.

harrigran Fri 19-Aug-16 23:45:13

Best time, the day I married DH. The worst, the day I got a diagnosis of an illness that could kill me.

NanaandGrampy Sat 20-Aug-16 08:38:43

I'm with you Ariana best time was my time in the army . I too travelled the world, only saw a little conflict as it was pre gulf war et al. I was indestructible , always right and loving every moment.

Worst time, the first time I got made redundant. I had lived my job and without it was lost. Luckily over a 30 year career and a couple of other redundancies I came to realise it wasn't about me at all it was the company.

kittylester Sat 20-Aug-16 08:48:17

I've had lots of good times but I suppose they all started after I met DH so that would have to be the best.

To date, DS1 having a massive stroke at the age of 35 while he was living in Japan.

obieone Sat 20-Aug-16 09:05:39

Best - probably when I was young free and single like the op.

Worst - doesnt really compare to others, but it was difficult when the children were very very young, and some of them needed more then just playgroup.

DaphneBroon Sat 20-Aug-16 09:30:32

I would rather not dwell on the worst of times - and there have been a few, losing our first son, waiting for DH's transplant, redundancy, inability to work, and the added stress of financial disaster on top of health issues, endless worry about my parents' poor health, decline and death 350 miles away, but these are behind us and whatever "worst of times" may yet lie ahead there are "golden days" which will never be forgotten.
My thirties -three DDs, a great circle of friends and the aforementioned dark days (apart from our son) yet to come - were pretty good, but best of all , was one Sunday morning after I had had DD2 (C section like the others) and everything had stopped hurting, I was in a light and sunny ward in the Westminster , my baby sleeping peacefully beside me and DH and my in laws were going to bring DD1 in to visit. My cup truly ran over smile

morethan2 Sat 20-Aug-16 09:37:46

Courting (old fashion word we don't hear anymore) my now husband. We were so young, silly and very happy. My worst was the call to say my DiL had her diagnosis of a terminal illness. Until then I thought I'd had more than my fair share of worst times. Everything paled into insignificance after that news. A ((((hug))) for Harrigran and Kittylester I often wonder how people manage to cope with with such horror, because they have no choice I suppose but its gut wrenchingly difficult.

Anniebach Sat 20-Aug-16 09:37:57

Best the births of my daughters . Worse the death of my husband after only eight years marriage and 21st October 1966 when I witnessed the Aberfan Disaster.

annsixty Sat 20-Aug-16 09:42:42

The best were the early years of marriage. They really were good.
The worst, I am living it every day.

Luckygirl Sat 20-Aug-16 09:55:19

Best - singing in Mahler's Resurrection Symphony under the direction of Charles Groves - what an uplifting experience that was!

Worst - OH's diagnosis with PD and my broken foot - both have blighted our lives ever since. But.....we still have music!! smile

morethan2 Sat 20-Aug-16 09:57:11

DaphneBroon a bittersweet post and your right about not dwelling

gettingonabit Sat 20-Aug-16 10:01:16

I think my best was in the early to mid 90s when I was (relatively) happy at work, with plenty of money, in a good relationship and travelling around the world.

Second best-being at home with dd when she was a baby.

Worst-now. Imploding relationship, limited work opportunities, no remaining family, uncertain future. Could be so much worse, though. I feel I've been fortunate on the whole.

KatyK Sat 20-Aug-16 10:39:13

Best time when my DD was born. Many family bad times but the worst when my brother died aged 24 and my nephew died age 16.

kittylester Sat 20-Aug-16 10:49:44

I should point out maybe that DS1 didn't due of his stroke but I did once pray (?) that he would. sad

His wife brought him home tp us and then buggered off back to Japan never to be seen again. He is coping wonderfully well with life with a disability but I would not like to live through that 2/3 year period again.

harrigran Sat 20-Aug-16 11:13:13

kitty and all Gnetters who have had difficulties and sad times flowers

Jane10 Sat 20-Aug-16 11:14:12

flowers*kittylester*.

Swanny Sat 20-Aug-16 11:32:29

Best - seeing the indescribable love and happiness on my DS's face when his own DS was born

Worst - three and a half years later, seeing the same indescribable love but now mixed with sadness when his DS was diagnosed with being on the Autism Spectrum

Christinefrance Sat 20-Aug-16 11:59:14

The worst seeing son in law die from cancer leaving two small children.

Best times births of my children. Now is a good time too despite aging problems. Love living here in rural France with husband and animals.

kittylester Sat 20-Aug-16 11:59:55

Thank you Harri. I echo that sentiment and especially for you.flowers

I didn't mean to ignore other people's problems and sad times but realised I may have left the impression that DS died and, despite my prayer when we first saw him 'tubed up', i am eternally thankful. And i could cheerfully strangle his wife.

Greyduster Sat 20-Aug-16 12:24:52

The best of times - when my daughter was born and I finally found the confidence to be the person, wife and mother I am today. The worst - sitting with my son at his darling wife's bedside as she passed away. I would have given my own life to save him having to go through that.

Teetime Sat 20-Aug-16 15:01:52

The best was qualifying as a nurse in 1982 and some of the subsequent career worst of times - my childhood nuff said!!

KatyK Sat 20-Aug-16 15:38:05

Oh yes Teetime the childhood! What a nightmare that was.