Monday, 19 February 2018

A life's purpose

I was visiting a very sick, elderly relative in hospital and the team of doctors are trying to decide what to do, if anything. At one point, he turned to his wife in frustration and said "I can look back on a good life, well lived and at this point, I just want spend what time I have left at home with you". As upsetting as it was to hear, it was also lovely and it struck me that was our goal in life. To be happy with what we had done, how we had lived and who we were sharing that life with.

May we always feel that way, both now and in the future.

Linking with #WritersQuotesOnWednesday I wrote this post when my father was dying. It was too soon to share it with the world, however, that 'relative' was my dad. I think it summed him up and was actually such a blessing to hear him say it to my Mum.





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35 comments:

  1. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit19 February 2018 at 11:53

    Beautifully said. xo

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  2. Deb @ inner compass designs 19 February 2018 at 13:20

    Sad and beautiful. So sorry to hear your relative is very sick. How wonderful to still have his wife by his side right to the end xx

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  3. Unknown19 February 2018 at 13:31

    Oh, that's lovely and I am sorry for your friends- I hope they get that wish xx

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  4. Natalie19 February 2018 at 14:36

    Well said, Lydia. Sorry to hear your relatives is very sick.

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  5. Natalie @ Be Kind 2 You19 February 2018 at 15:42

    Oh that is beautiful and how I want to end with my partner and kids. #teamIBOT

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  6. Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti19 February 2018 at 15:45

    That uis a beautiful goal and one we can all hope for when our days end.

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  7. Tom19 February 2018 at 16:20

    ...that would work for me.

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  8. Kylie Purtell19 February 2018 at 19:20

    So well said. And very timely for me, as my Nana is currently in hospital while the doctor's work out what level of care she is going to need going forward and where that care will take place (she's just been diagnosed with Lewy body Dementia). Sadly it's looking more and more likely that no matter how much my Pop would like to take her back home it just won't happen and it's hard for everyone, although I know there is some comfort in knowing that she's had a wonderful life up until now x

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    1. Lydia C. Lee19 February 2018 at 19:37

      I'm very sorry to hear. A rough time for all. Treasure your visits

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    2. Denyse Whelan.21 February 2018 at 18:01

      Oh Kylie, that is tragic. The one thing I have read about this condition is it is quite nasty and pretty well one where she cannot live at home. Sending love. Denyse x

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  9. Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid19 February 2018 at 22:11

    Sorry to hear your relative is so poorly. That's a truly beautiful goal and one we can all aspire to.

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  10. Unknown20 February 2018 at 18:59

    Touching and beautiful indeed. Sending you all the best as you go through this hard time.

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  11. Lyndall @SeizeTheDayProject21 February 2018 at 13:23

    So beautiful. I sure hope I feel that way when my time comes. I do for now :)

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  12. Denyse Whelan.21 February 2018 at 18:02

    Oh wow. Powerful words and post. Yes I guess this is what any of us would want..the chance to both express appreciation and to those who matter the most to us. Sending love, Denyse x

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  13. Budget Travel Talk21 February 2018 at 20:52

    I think that is how I would feel if I reached an old age.

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  14. passion fruit, paws and peonies21 February 2018 at 23:54

    I love this. My dear nan is in a care home for Alzheimer's and has experienced some poor treatment recently. I dearly wish we could bring her home x

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  15. Debbish22 February 2018 at 12:25

    Oh yes and I think an important reminder that - even if we have our regrets - we can still look back on the positives with joy! #teamlovinlife

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  16. magicalmamablog.com22 February 2018 at 13:33

    I can only hope that everyone has lived a full and happy life the way your relative has! Thanks for sharing this positive goal for us all to work toward!
    #StayClassyMama

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  17. Jo Tracey23 February 2018 at 22:44

    Hear hear to that!

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  18. Frankie24 February 2018 at 12:45

    Yes that sounds like a lovely goal for our lives #KCACOLS

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  19. Unknown24 February 2018 at 14:11

    Sorry to hear you have a sick relative but how lovely to know that they were happy with what they had achieved in their life.#KCACOLS

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  20. Kirsty25 February 2018 at 17:05

    I hope to be able to end my life this way too, content with what I've achieved and finding comfort with those I love x

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  21. Di from Max The Unicorn26 February 2018 at 03:23

    That's a beautiful sentiment.

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  22. One Mother Hen26 February 2018 at 15:55

    I have often heard, when an elderly person passes away, that they 'were ready'. My gran was like this. She had lived a full life, she adored her family, but was tired.

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  23. Unknown28 February 2018 at 04:11

    Gosh what a beautiful and powerful moment. Thank you for sharing with #StayCLassymama

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  24. one frazzled mum28 February 2018 at 08:52

    What a beautiful thing to say. It sounds they definitely had a good life. Thanks so much for linking to #KCACOLS. Hope you can come back again next time

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  25. Sensational Learning with Penguin2 March 2018 at 16:04

    Very true. We need to take good care of the days we've got, they're not infinate.
    I hope he still gets many more beautiful days with his wife <3
    #KCACOLS

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  26. Michele18 August 2020 at 16:01

    I hope that under a similar circumstance I would be brave enough to say a similar thing! I commend his honesty and courage!

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  27. Women Living Well After 5018 August 2020 at 16:56

    Perfect Lydia, we should all be this brave and I think I would feel the same. #MLSTL

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  28. Leanne18 August 2020 at 22:49

    So true Lydia - I was thinking the same thing the other day about an acquaintance with widespread inoperable cancer who has now launched into the misery of chemo - it will make his last months even more horrible and it made me wonder why we hold on so tight to the detriment of our health and happiness? I loved your friend's attitude. #MLSTL

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  29. Midlifestylist18 August 2020 at 23:08

    Hi Lydia, when my dad was in the last stage of his life, it was amazing how serene he was. He was in so much pain and was unable to eat or drink much, but he was so at peace. It made his passing that much easier to bear knowing that he was ready to die. I hope your loved one doesn't suffer too much, take care. Regards Christina

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  30. Deb's World19 August 2020 at 03:20

    I can relate to this Lydia! #mlstl

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  31. Christie Hawkes19 August 2020 at 15:57

    Yes, Lydia. Thank you for this heart-touching reminder. May you and your family be surrounded by love and well supported during this difficult time.

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  32. Jennifer Jones19 August 2020 at 16:02

    Thanks for this beautiful reminder Lydia

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  33. Denyse Whelan.19 August 2020 at 16:37

    Back again to add, My Dad would prefer to go quickly than linger. He is getting more forthright with his views with doctors etc and he has an end of life care plan in place with my brother and me. Dad is very worried because if he became too unwell to stay at his independent living place he would have to go into a nursing home and that is NOT on...for him anyway. Denyse #mlstl

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