2015 has been the kind of year that has friends posting the images above and below to my Facebook wall. It’s not been all bad but there’s been enough bad that my friends are all pitching in to help.
There’s lots of love in my life and I’ve got some wonderful friends. This week the mail brought a beautiful knitted hat, bags of coffee beans, and an awful lot of chocolate. And then another friend and colleague dropped off pumpkin loaf. My favourite things…
It’s been a very hard year following on the heels of last year’s very tough year. Basically between launching young adults and caring for aging parents, middle age isn’t for faint of heart. In the first half of 2014, both of my parents in law died, one of ALS, the other of a stroke. I was hoping for a better year in 2015 but that wasn’t to be. Instead, this year I had thyroid cancer and my father was diagnosed with untreatable esophageal cancer. He died this month just before Christmas. (Healthwise, I’m fine.)
I wrote blog posts about remembering my mother in law and father in law but I’m not ready yet to write about my dad. Instead, I’m looking at old photos. I’m thinking about him lots. I’m having a low key Christmas with family. I’ve done some sad running. And I’m hoping for a better year ahead.
I have been thinking of you and your family this Christmas season. I hope you will all have peace in the coming months to sustain you all year.
Love and hugs coming your way from me and Renald. Fingers crossed that 2016 will be much, much happier!!
I’m so sorry about your dad.
I lost my Dad in the early part of the year. 2015 was tough here too – DH had pneumonia just as we were having to move (unexpectedly) out of a house we’d loved for 5 years. 2 minor injuries right before each of my goal races and lots of life stress hit my training. But I am lucky to have my sister, DH and a couple friends to support me electronically. And I got to run my first Boston Marathon, now training for my second – again, very lucky.
I’m a thyroid cancer survivor, so if I can help or listen, just get in touch.
(and yes, I have sat and thought that! 🙂
Sending my best for a much better 2016 for us all!
I’m sorry for the loss of your father, SAm. It will take time.
I lost my 85-yr. old father a few days before Christmas 2014. He had prostate cancer but lived a high quality of life for last 6 years of his life.
Aside from his cancer and his slow stooping posture in fnal years, he was incredibly healthy and had cheerful disposition.
His health was an enormous inspiration to us.
Love and hugs to you, Sam.
I lost my 83-year-old mother to a stroke in January, my sister and brother-in-law divorced, and my nephew (their son) struggled with addiction most of the year and had a couple of close calls. This year has basically been one big bummer, and it was not a joyous Christmas season, to say the least.
I’m tired of feeling sad, but I can’t help it. I guess that’s the nature of grief…the waves come when they come.
I hope 2016 is a better year for all of us.
It’s never fun watching a loved one die, especially from a disease. I am terribly sorry for your loss. Hope this coming year brings you lots of laughter and good memories.
Sending you positive vibes your way.