Those we miss.

Had a bit of difficulty replying to this yesterday, both my parents are still around, both in their 80’s but failing rapidly, I think back to my dads childhood, his dad died shortly after the war when he was only 8, growing up was tough, my gran on her own with 2 kids, having to work multiple jobs to keep them fed and clothed, welfare state wasn’t as it is now to fall back on, they had it tough, my dad left to join the navy at 14, he has never got over loosing his dad at such a key age, don’t think you can. Talk about standing on the shoulders of giants!

Think Des and Thomas may have met him once in the sportsman may years ago? Hoping to try and get him to a game later in the season when things warm up a bit, hopefully…

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Originally Posted by baggieal

Sorry to hear this Boingy but you sound as if you have worked miracles to move on especially being musically talented. Happy Christmas

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Thanks Al. Its a mix of good and bad, all the best.

There used to be loads of relatives at Christmas, yesterday we had a quiet day, just the three of us.
My mom is in a nursing home and my mother in law died December 2018.
Christmas is okay when you are young but I'm not religious so never been that mad about it.

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Originally Posted by DaveP67 is back!

Had a bit of difficulty replying to this yesterday, both my parents are still around, both in their 80’s but failing rapidly, I think back to my dads childhood, his dad died shortly after the war when he was only 8, growing up was tough, my gran on her own with 2 kids, having to work multiple jobs to keep them fed and clothed, welfare state wasn’t as it is now to fall back on, they had it tough, my dad left to join the navy at 14, he has never got over loosing his dad at such a key age, don’t think you can. Talk about standing on the shoulders of giants!

Think Des and Thomas may have met him once in the sportsman may years ago? Hoping to try and get him to a game later in the season when things warm up a bit, hopefully…

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That is correct, I enjoyed his and your company prior to a game.

Both my granddads died in the 1940s, aged 41 and 44, leaving my grannies on their own with their children (among others, my mum and dad). Hard times, but they managed, they were of another mould, I believe.

My father turned 90 yesterday, but is now losing it rapidly, severe dementia. My mother is 86 and has a clear head, but has some physical issues. They still live on their own in the house where I grew up, which is a bit of an ordeal (for my mum). I live 130 km away, try to visit as often as possible, but, not always that easy (I’m the only child too).

A poignant thread.

Having been adopted more or less at birth and therefore never knowing my genetic parents has always meant Xmas has a kind of hollow ring for me. There have been some highs and lows over 63 Christmases and some relatives I genuinely miss. I raise a glass to them. But with 20 years or so left on this earth, I tend to look forward at Christmas time and hope the next years bring good health, love, fun and togetherness for me and my wife, our dogs, remaining family and friends. Enjoy your life while it lasts is my motto as you never know what’s around the corner.

I am a rare visitor on here these days I feel I had to reply to Mick's heartfelt opening post very touching.
Boingy I feel for you mate I didn't have the best of parents and grandparents I had died when I was no older than six, some of us have tough upbringings and it's what you make of yourself as an adult and how you are with your own family that matter I wish you all well and a Merry Christmas.

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Originally Posted by SwedishBaggie

That is correct, I enjoyed his and your company prior to a game.

Both my granddads died in the 1940s, aged 41 and 44, leaving my grannies on their own with their children (among others, my mum and dad). Hard times, but they managed, they were of another mould, I believe.

My father turned 90 yesterday, but is now losing it rapidly, severe dementia. My mother is 86 and has a clear head, but has some physical issues. They still live on their own in the house where I grew up, which is a bit of an ordeal (for my mum). I live 130 km away, try to visit as often as possible, but, not always that easy (I’m the only child too).

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Distance is a big issue for me, mine are about 2.5 hours away, thankfully my brother is about but it is a worry, how did your dad cope loosing his dad at a young age?

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Originally Posted by DaveP67 is back!

Distance is a big issue for me, mine are about 2.5 hours away, thankfully my brother is about but it is a worry, how did your dad cope loosing his dad at a young age?

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Well, he was the oldest of 3 children (aged 17 at the time), so I think he had to be ”the man” in the family, and, being that, gave little time to contemplate (maybe thankfully so) - they (he and my grannie), just had to carry on.

My Dad lost both his parents before the age of 14, his Dad died down the mine.
After being passed around his brothers he joined the army at 14,after being told he was to young, he was told to walk round the block and change his date of birth.

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Originally Posted by soulman101

My Dad lost both his parents before the age of 14, his Dad died down the mine.
After being passed around his brothers he joined the army at 14,after being told he was to young, he was told to walk round the block and change his date of birth.

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My mum’s dad lied about his age to fight in WW1 Lloyd.......a far greater generation of men than nowadays.