[size=4]Nice post, and good on you.

That is so true that we are fortunate to have reached an age where we can look back and see many changes in our lifetime.

Very fortunate indeed.

It is timely for me, as news on Saturday of a very old friend passing away at the age of 60 is sad indeed.[/size]

Sometimes we do need to think about how lucky we are and not always be grizzling (our

huge water bill when we have been saving water furiously is madness have to admit

though) but we will still keep saving water because we all really have to or we will be

in real trouble.

Apparently in the 20th century so not all that long ago widows had to take in washing

to feed their children with a story of a woman with 7 children having to walk miles

with a baby on her hip over unmade roads because of no pension of any type so

they were really hungry and in dire poverty......

Later in the 20th Century there was a "widow's mite" which was just a pittance.......

I was talking to a Srilankan lady (I know I posted about it before this forum

changed over), who said in SriLanka any old person who could not work was

supported by their children so no pensions at all and had to rely on their generosity

or charity.

On saying that I support Senior's pensions being upgraded and brought into line

with the basic wage to a degree where no person is living in poverty as is surely

a right in our wonderful Country. I also agree particularly single pensions are

far too low as a single person still has the same huge water bill I think? and many

other bills which are not much less for one. Still a couple also need an upgrade

as I know many are struggling trying to replace big items when they break down.

It is amazing how many ways we can all save money on things we do or buy

No I am Not Going To Say (shop at Aldi) lol but regardless I fully support the

Age Pension and Disability Pension being adjusted so people are not struggling

albeit I do think we should count our blessings every day. I cannot imagine

any person starving in Australia.

All the best

Phyl.

Yes we have to count our blessings--and we have many--so many little kids that are suffering badly with sickness--the is always some one worse off--Good on you Gerry--and I am very sorry to hear of your plight.



I consider myself a very lucky person to have been born here in Aussie and not in a 3rd world place--

Gerry O, sorry to hear about your cancer. At the same time it is wonderful that while you acknowledge it, you are positive and still see beauty in life all around. I think it is the saddest thing to see an older person, after having lived and learned, to remain bitter and angry.



Sending you a private post hope you don't mind; keep an eye on your inbox.

(I sent a post to someone and they still have not seen it *)

Mara how could anyone not be happy to receive a private message from such a nice person as you I ask :)

I agree Gerry sounds a trully positive person. We can all learn from such people as

it is easy not to be happy when our health is not 100% but many older people do have a battle

so it is not really fair to also have not enough money to live without having to scrimp.

I am sick of migraines :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

Now what is it I keep saying? oh yes I am "glad" about something now if I can just find

that something this eve. lol I know, I will run cold water over my head and go to bed I could be glad about that as it just might help but hey I would probably get a bad cold.

Take care and good to hear you around the place Mara.

Phyl.

mara, I did reply and thank you for not only the message, but also for making me feel welcome here - that is important.

I guess we all have our own problems, whether it be health, family, finance or other.

Thanks also to all of you who took the time to reply - I just hope that we can look at things from a positive way and not concentrate on financial problems but rather learn to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, the simple things that do not cost a cent.

ok , time for zzzz,s so goodnight,

Gerry

I'm really sorry to read that your not so well Gerry

I admire your spirit and your brilliant outlook on life.