This Tragedy that is Life

maumau

maumau

Honorary Master
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We're house hunting and viewed a property yesterday owned by a 70/75 year old man who has lived in his house for 20 years.

Next week it will be 3 years since his wife died of pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed and dead within 42 days. He nursed her, carried her upstairs and downstairs every day, fed her and watched the daily deterioration of her health.

Pictures on the wall of his parents, long dead. Him at the age of 12 taking his first communion and another one, handsome at 19 in his Judo outfit. He got his black belt in Judo 3rd? or 4th? dan and was sportsman of the year at one stage.

I think he's German and although he has family overseas he's lived here all his life and they're strangers to him. His daughter recently emigrated and obviously there's been no talk of him joining her, wherever she went.

He's selling his house but isn't sure where he's moving to because his only real attachment is to his granddaughter who used to spend weekends with him and his wife but she's 15 now and has other things to do. He says "she doesn't want to spend her time with an old man".

So sad :crying:
 
Being alive is strange. Maybe you're born to plague or war or on a peaceful pasture that smells like sunflowers and chocolate. There's no reason or rhyme, just the unfolding of time. The Great Indifference. Inhabited by creatures who try to make a difference.
 
Get that man a dog!
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Life can be dark, it’s sad some people are so alone. It’s difficult not to focus on the absurdity and pointlessness of this reality.
 
This is why people need to plan a second career in retirement. Not necessarily something that brings money unless that is needed, but something to do to contribute to society. Volunteer somewhere. Have a reason to get out of bed.
 
Cius said:
This is why people need to plan a second career in retirement. Not necessarily something that brings money unless that is needed, but something to do to contribute to society. Volunteer somewhere. Have a reason to get out of bed.
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Or a hobby of some sort. This particular guy's life came crashing down 3 years ago when his wife died, now the granddaughter's growing up and no longer wants to spend time with him.

The contrast is just so sad to see, particularly since we all have the potential to be in his situation.

He's got a dog, but that's not going to help and he doesn't seem short of money. I suppose being lonely with money is better than being lonely and poor.
 
maumau said:
We're house hunting and viewed a property yesterday owned by a 70/75 year old man who has lived in his house for 20 years.

Next week it will be 3 years since his wife died of pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed and dead within 42 days. He nursed her, carried her upstairs and downstairs every day, fed her and watched the daily deterioration of her health.

Pictures on the wall of his parents, long dead. Him at the age of 12 taking his first communion and another one, handsome at 19 in his Judo outfit. He got his black belt in Judo 3rd? or 4th? dan and was sportsman of the year at one stage.

I think he's German and although he has family overseas he's lived here all his life and they're strangers to him. His daughter recently emigrated and obviously there's been no talk of him joining her, wherever she went.

He's selling his house but isn't sure where he's moving to because his only real attachment is to his granddaughter who used to spend weekends with him and his wife but she's 15 now and has other things to do. He says "she doesn't want to spend her time with an old man".

So sad :crying:
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This describes a quarter of my client base, many of them no longer here on this earth. I'm inured to it now.
 
saor said:
Stay curious, stay active. I think some people fall into a trap of thinking "it's too late to start...", but it's never too late to start painting, gardening, 3d printing, gaming, cooking, photographing etc. I love seeing older people trying new things.
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For sure, if they didn't have time when they were young, they've got time now.

Keep up with the times too if possible, we asked at one place if they had fiber. and the lady said no, she's only got DStv.
 
maumau said:
Or a hobby of some sort. This particular guy's life came crashing down 3 years ago when his wife died, now the granddaughter's growing up and no longer wants to spend time with him.

The contrast is just so sad to see, particularly since we all have the potential to be in his situation.

He's got a dog, but that's not going to help and he doesn't seem short of money. I suppose being lonely with money is better than being lonely and poor.
Click to expand...
I definitely have some big volunteer stuff I will do with my wife that will take up a few years. Also want to start a youtube chanel. Have seen some old farts doing gaming chanels that are pretty good especially with the strategy games. Not really caring if it has millions of viewers, more for the die hard fans you know.
 
maumau said:
We're house hunting and viewed a property yesterday owned by a 70/75 year old man who has lived in his house for 20 years.

Next week it will be 3 years since his wife died of pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed and dead within 42 days. He nursed her, carried her upstairs and downstairs every day, fed her and watched the daily deterioration of her health.

Pictures on the wall of his parents, long dead. Him at the age of 12 taking his first communion and another one, handsome at 19 in his Judo outfit. He got his black belt in Judo 3rd? or 4th? dan and was sportsman of the year at one stage.

I think he's German and although he has family overseas he's lived here all his life and they're strangers to him. His daughter recently emigrated and obviously there's been no talk of him joining her, wherever she went.

He's selling his house but isn't sure where he's moving to because his only real attachment is to his granddaughter who used to spend weekends with him and his wife but she's 15 now and has other things to do. He says "she doesn't want to spend her time with an old man".

So sad :crying:
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You’re probably getting played. Don’t buy it because you feel sorry for him.

For all you know, the wife may be buried in the backyard,
 
saor said:
Stay curious, stay active. I think some people fall into a trap of thinking "it's too late to start...", but it's never too late to start painting, gardening, 3d printing, gaming, cooking, photographing etc. I love seeing older people trying new things.
Click to expand...

Ugh, imagine getting flamed and teabagged by a 75 yr old in Call of Duty "Get rekt noob!"
 
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