Mourning the Loss of Your Life

[PhinneyWalker]

Originally Posted by engineman

At 88 I wonder how far I have left to go. My wife of 62 years has been in a nursing home for over a year.

I am sorry to hear this. I have friends who are your age. Both of them have had a fair bit of health problems in the three years or so, but they have remained in their own home because one of their sons is there to help care for them. All we can do it take it one day at a time. Wishing you both the best.

[gizmo980]

Perhaps this angle would be better left to the psychology or religion forums, but I think everyone should include their religious/spiritual beliefs in their answers... that seems to make a big difference, as we could argue that religion was invented to ease the fear of death & nothingness. I don't mean to offend anyone by saying that, and for the record I was raised Reform Jewish. So I wouldn't call myself an Atheist, but at the same time I can't logically believe anything exists after death. And that makes this discussion much scarier imo.

Oh, and I'm only 45. So while I do have some regrets or doubts about my decisions, I will hopefully have enough time to rectify or make up for some of them.

[SunGrins]

Originally Posted by PhinneyWalker

Do you mourn the loss of your life? I do not mean "death" per se but the fact that your life is drawing to a close, and you realise your race is run. It is over.

I really don't have time for that. I'm 73 and actually have very few personal regrets. I have lived long enough that I have learned some valuable lessons and truisms. They work for me, maybe not others. Don't worry, be happy -- and how to do that?
--Be aware of efforts to manipulate and channel your opinions and values.
--Remember that about 95% of the news and horrific stories we hear about every day involve about 5% of the population. News outlets and their web sites are geared for making a profit, not to actually inform people in a realistic manner. Sometimes they distort news or simply lie.
--Think independently and focus on making the best decision among different options.
--Don't worry much about programmed obsolescence. If something works, don't fix it.
--Keep good friends forever and forgive many flaws or faults but don't be a patsy.
--I am actually not the center of the universe nor always correct. Neither are the Kardashians.
--Church is one thing and faith is another. Sometimes the two coincide but I favor faith and humanity over blind dogma.
--Trust your instincts.

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by PhinneyWalker

Do you mourn the loss of your life? I do not mean "death" per se but the fact that your life is drawing to a close, and you realise your race is run. It is over. You cannot go back and do anything differently. Any of the dreams you had that you did not achieve will never be achieved now. I am not talking about middle age angst. I am talking about your last few years on earth.

No way in hell. I live each day as it is and I am thankful to still be here to enjoy it

[Teacher Terry]

Some times it doesn’t seem real that I am 68. I have gotten to do many things that I have wanted to. I have had some big disappointments and setbacks but that’s life. I am enjoying whatever time I have left.

[_redbird_]

I mourn the loss of my life when I lost my beloved.

Life was so good, life was so wonderful, we were so happy going places, even going to the dog park which was 90 miles away was fun. Eating Chinese food etc etc.

I know since he has been gone I have lost so much weight and my health has gone downhill so fast and my head is spinning. I can barely walk to the kitchen, I can barely walk out in my car. I can just feel my life slipping away. And since I spent the last 3 years in lockdown, all I do is have memory lane. I watch a little bit of TV, but I like to spend time with my thoughts and remembering all the wonderful blessings I have had with my wonderful Significant Other.

But I know that I was blessed far beyond what I deserve.