I'm unsettled.

dreamdaisy
dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
edited 27. Dec 2013, 06:41 in Community Chit-chat archive
This is my first Christmas as an elderly orphan and it is unsettling. Since we married in 1997 this festive season revolved around the parents and on keeping both sets 'happy'. Then after the deaths of our respective fathers it was centred upon the mothers; his mum died in October 2012 and mine in April 2013. Now it's just us. It's weird.

It was just us last year thanks to my double carpal tunnel op (I truly couldn't cope with my Ma coming to stay at the time and we had a lovely day) but now? I wish I had pushed myself that little bit further. Unlike Edith Piaf I have regrets. DD
Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben

Comments

  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That is the price you pay for having had a lovely relationship with your parents.

    You can't live with regrets though DD as they eat you up so try and focus on the good times. Your Mum wouldn't judge you on that one Christmas, you had a very good reason to take care of yourself for a change and she would have understood that. You had a lifetime of lovely memories, now you need to focus on them.



    Elizabeth x
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for your very kind words, Elizabeth, they are much appreciated. I hope you and yours have a lovely festive time and that you don't end up having to do everything. I'm sure tomorrow will go well for us, there's no reason why it shouldn't. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • daffy2
    daffy2 Member Posts: 1,636
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's not surprising you are unsettled DD, and I do sympathise. There are always times when we think 'I could/should have done more/different' - but there is no point in letting such thoughts root, and risk tainting current and future contentment( I too look for that rather than happiness)
    What is probably not helping is that you cannot share with your mother this latest chapter in your life - the birth of my first grandchild was tinged with sadness for that reason. The positive side of that tristesse is that you had a close enough relationship that you wanted to share your news and excitement (and concerns?), because that is what you did while she was alive.
    It's another context I realise but still seems appropriate 'Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,110
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello DD
    I think your mum is watching you seeing how well you cope with things
    and saying I would do it that way.
    you take care you are doing well you have got through a lot of problems this year.
    have good 2014 both of you
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm with Elizabeth on this one DD..of course you will feel unsettled...I had a few regrets when I lost my parents...but have learned to laugh at the things we did and smile at the childhood we had..early days for you but it will come...
    Not that Christmas doesn't get to me...but its easier
    :rudolph: xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • toady
    toady Member Posts: 2,384
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As an orphan of many years standing (on account of quite elderly when I was born) parents, & whose illness coincided with their poor health, I have plenty of my own regrets. All I have to think is: I could only realistically have done a first rate job of supporting them for a short time, it would not have been sustainable, & I would have 'folded' and been unable to help at all over what turned out to be quite a long period - so it would not have been any good gambling on a short saintly burst of support. So a lesser level of help throughout is all I could do, unsatisfactory though that was. That is probably the experience of many. From what I've read you did a LOT for your p's, so that should be something to bolster yourself with against the inevitable what ifs.

    But it must indeed be unsettling, & hope you can strike the right festive balance for the two of you.

    :noel: best wishes
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh. Oh my word. I can't see the keyboard because my eyes are leaking in a most unusual manner.

    The differences between Christmas past and present are becoming apparent and I rather like the new 'traditions' I am establishing (a bunch of mistletoe hanging in our new porch is one). This is a time for him and me so to that end we have shut the gates at the end of our drive. We are snugly housed and I am thankful.

    Thank you, each and everyone, for your care and support during this very difficult year. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,826
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Elderly orphan??? ELDERLY Orphan

    Indeed not!! A veritable whippersnapper you are :xmas_cheesygrin:

    Seriously though. This will be a hard year for many reasons and you know I understand having been an orphan too young too. Our friends on here have said far better than I can how unnecessary and pointless it is to feel guilt. It's BAD for you :madnoel:

    I was about to suggest you think of all the good stuff you and 'he' can now do together....you are and did you say GATE shut??

    d030.gif

    as Joey Essex would say "I'm well-jel"

    love

    Toni xx
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I must admit it has been nice having mum he with us but for the last few yrs dad was alive they came to us for Christmas.. it's not three same and never will be, but we live on my darlin.
    I send a thousand YBH's

    Xxxxxxxxxx
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • numptynora
    numptynora Member Posts: 782
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    tkachev wrote:
    That is the price you pay for having had a lovely relationship with your parents.

    You can't live with regrets though DD as they eat you up so try and focus on the good times. Your Mum wouldn't judge you on that one Christmas, you had a very good reason to take care of yourself for a change and she would have understood that. You had a lifetime of lovely memories, now you need to focus on them.



    Elizabeth x


    Very wise words Elizabeth, We all miss loved ones at this time of year DD and I'm sure yours would agree, try and focus on the 'now' with all the lovely memories you have x
    Numps x
    Pets come into our lives, and then leave paw-prints on our hearts.
  • applerose
    applerose Member Posts: 3,621
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I always think the firsts of everything are the worst, first Christmas, first birthday etc. I lost my mum coming up to 2 years ago. It didn't seem right to enjoy Christmas last year but this year was a little easier. I still wanted to buy her a present so I'll take some flowers when I next go to dad's. I still leave her messages on her Facebook page and still send her thoughts of what's going on in my life. You don't get over it but it does get easier as time goes on DD.
    Christine
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you, each and every one, I apologise for not being around yesterday or today but I needed time, time for me and time with 'im indoors. We have had two tealights burning constantly since 6pm Christmas Eve, one for each mum, when the current ones burn out they will not be renewed. He has given me a memorable Christmas, I had a stocking full of little goodies, he decorated the sitting room with some strands of tinsel (in the dark so he wouldn't wake me - our bedroom leads straight from the sitting room) and he has done all the cooking. Spoiled is not the word but it will do for now. :wink:

    Thank you. ((((())))) to all. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,826
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oooh DD

    What a lovely man :xmas_cheesygrin:

    I like the little tea-light ritual - good idea - just enough :areindeer:

    Spoiling a little doesn't do any of us any harm once in a while ;)

    Take care now

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD It's hard at this time of year. I can't lie and say it gets better, it doesn't! I suppose I'm lucky having my Mom still but I only see her on my Birthday and Christmas and she only lives in Gaydon! I see her for a couple of hours and she disappears till the next time! But not having my Mom & Dad in law is hard especially for my OH. We talk about funny memories and it does help little. I just hope you can see part the sadness and think about good memories as it does ease the pain alittle at this time of year. And think about the memories you can make in your new home.