I just bumped into an old colleague of mine on the street, we had a chat - it was good. I like bumping into people I know from before the stroke. Why? a) just to say hi and to 'show off' that I'm alive; and b) knowing that I have no 'hard feelings' that they haven't bothered catching up in the meantime. Lesson learned: life will go on, regardless!
Good on. Love your attitude. Sometimes I think that people don’t phone/visit as it’s confrontational for them as they don’t want to think it could well be them who has suffered a stroke or for that matter any serious sudden illness.
Thank you Cynthia. Or, if I may be cynical, they are afraid of being asked to help...
HI Michael, the loss of friendships was something I found hard to deal with but I think that was more because I knew it represented how much my life has changed. I've always known that friendships are dynamic with different friends for different situations,eg school mums vs work friends etc, and how these friendships links can die once the reason for the coming together is severed. It wa sthe friendships taht I though were strong that haven't been maintained that were hard but I am (generally) at peace with it all now. The upside is taht the change in circumstances has seen other friendships develop and so life continues.
Toni
Toni, I like your words 'at peace' - perfect description! It takes time to come to peace with a) surviving a stroke, b) recovery, and c) new circumstances. There is no guide for that, we tackle everything as we go. Cheers, Michael