Sad Pensive
I haven't been feeling up to par lately. I have been tired and achy. I am a walker and for a few weeks my back and hips ached like the dickens when I walked. I had puffy feet and a dry cough. Joe bullied me in to going to the doctor. I went and had blood work done - fine, and a chest Xray - fine. I am talking to my doctor tomorrow on the phone. My friend and granddaughter think I have long Covid. I looked up the symptoms and they may be right. On the upside, I walked about 4k (3 miles or so) and I didn't hurt! Perhaps whatever was ailing me is getting better.
Things are changing - as they must. Our dear friends and next door neighbours (our condos are next to one another) are moving. Their health is not great so they are going in to a seniors apartment. I am happy for them but it will not be the same. I can't get a cup of sugar when I need it!!!'
Today my other good friend said she is applying for a job in my old home town of Thunder Bay. Her family lives there and her mom is not at all well. Michelle and I go for beer and wings pretty regularly. We have been friends for 20 years!
Now I am thinking seriously about planning our next adventure. We live in Calgary. Andrew lives in Edmonton - 3 hours by car. Cevyn lives in Ottawa - 3 -4 hours by plane. Since Jack died it has not been the same. Leslie (his fiance of 37 years) has a brother in British Columbia. I expect it won't be long before she decides to move. She is not well either.
I don't make friends easily. I am better at addressing a crowd than chit chatting. So I am thinking we perhaps should make a move too. I am going to talk to Andrew and get his take on things. A move to Edmonton is perhaps the way to go. I just have to convince Joe!
I have been trying to dejunk. I am a bit of a pack rat. Every time I go to throw something out, I start to think about where it came from and then decide that maybe I really do need it!!
I have also been a little more emotional lately. Things would not be this complicated if Lisa was here. She was planning our dotage before she died! Sometimes life just sucks.
And we have forest fires around us. And it is dry. I watch pretty clouds float by as I sit in the shade in the sweltering heat - on the days that the smoke isn't choking us out. They have been recommending N95 mask as the smoke is toxic. Canada is on fire. It is scary! Hundreds of families have been evacuated - they declared a state of emergency. We were first to have fires - now there are fires in BC, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and in the maritimes. Firefighters have been coming to help from USA, France, Australia and probably elsewhere. Our Conservative government here in Alberta saw fit to cut funding for firefighters and are now paying for it.
Now I am on a rant so I will quit. I will keep you posted
Replies
You can always count on change. It is sad to have friends moving away. I also have contemplated making a move after my son and his family moved to Richmond, VA. So far I’ve stayed put though. Life is ever evolving and we just have to go with the flow and do what feels right at the moment. Wishing you the best! Hugs to you!
I am glad to hear you are on the mend of whatever was ailing you. I think Covid will always be around, sort of like the flu, it's something we will continue to have to deal with to one degree or another. One of our FMO moms grandson is in the hospital now due to Covid. Symptoms and severity seem to have a large varying degree of seriousness, and it doesn't seem to matter if you're younger or older.
I'm sorry so many of your dear friends have, or will be moving away. Most sorry for the loss of those who've shed their earthly bodies. It's hard and it hurts. Perhaps moving closer to Andrew will give you a new sense of JOY and excitement. Sometimes a drastic change is "just what the doctor ordered". I wish you the best of everything wherever you land...or stay!
We have a trip planned to Seattle in early August. Looks like we may need to rethink that plan! I'd hate to go and be "smoked out"...and not in a good way, LOL! (just kidding)
I agree....sometimes life just sucks!
Sending lots and lots of LOVE energy and prayers for clean air and happy hearts!!
Your journals often resonate with me so much. Things do change and lately it is not for the better. Life does suck at times. It is not easy to make new friends and as people move it becomes downright lonely and scary. I am sorry to hear you are not feeling well. I wonder how much the smoke has to do with it. Long covid may be another possibility as you have already said. I hope your doctor can find you some relief. I often wonder what life would be like if Josh was still around as well. He used to tease me that he would be picking my nursing home and I was in my forties or fifties at the time.
Dave and I are often not on the same page regarding aging. I try to plan for it and he tries to deny that it is happening on many levels. We are fortunate in that Chris is quite close proximity wise and is a wonderful son. Still I know that as this next phase of life is happening, we will see things differently.
I wish you could convince Andrew to move to Ottawa and all live near Cevyn and the twins... all tied up with a bow... Dreaming... It's what I do best...
Oh Marlene, I so understand. Death, taxes and change... If you find that you have the "itch" to make a new start, I know that you and Joe will find the best solution for you both. Edmonton??? I'll keep my opinion to myself, thank you! Already doing Calgary (and it's winters) I guess you're no stranger to winter at it's finest, lol! Being BC born and raised I don't do cold. Wet, yup, cold, not so much!
My thoughts have also gone to making a move. There are several things that stop me. Not the least of which is that, about 2 years ago now I found a really good, young and knowledgeable Doctor. I'm sure you are aware of the shortage and I'm not prepared to start that search over again...
Be well my friend, look after you, please keep us posted.
<3 Love you... Merrilee