December 24th 2024.
I am grateful to have found support through Age UK. Last Christmas Day, I was overcome with emotion and knew I needed to leave my apartment. I don't even remember where I ended up wandering in Norwich, but everything was closed for the bank holiday. After wandering for a couple of hours, I sat down on a bench in the local gardens and let myself cry. It's been a difficult time for me ever since my beloved wife of 61 years, Jillian, passed away. Christmas used to be my favorite holiday, but now it's a sad reminder of her absence.
Jillian, or Jilly as I affectionately called her, and I met in school. Our time together was brief as her father, a Major in the Army, was posted in Paris and she had to move. However, she asked my grandmama, who I was living with at the time, if I could write to her. And that's where our love story truly began.
She was a wonderful person, although her father initially had reservations about our relationship due to our different backgrounds. But I managed to win him over. We got married in 1960 when I was 20 and she was 21. It was the best day of my life. We shared everything, there was no "mine" or "yours", only "ours".
But our life together was not without its challenges. Shortly after getting married, I was called up for National Service. It was a scary time for me as I was put in the Medical Corps and had to undergo 14 weeks of training before being posted. I remember waiting anxiously as the names were called out and I was relieved when I found out I would be stationed at Colchester Military Hospital.
My career in the gas and oil industry required me to travel a lot, which meant Jillian played a huge role in maintaining our home and raising our children. Despite the distance, we loved each other deeply. Our home in Norwich, which my grandpapa bought for us and her parents furnished, was all we needed. Christmas was usually spent abroad, either in a nice hotel in Malta or doing a house exchange with friends in America.
Jillian was an amazing cook and we always had a delicious Christmas dinner before opening presents. I still cherish the ring she gave me on one Christmas. But in 2012, everything changed. Jillian had a fall in the garden and we soon found out it was the first sign of a brain haemorrhage. It was a shock as there were no previous symptoms. From that point on, she needed more care but I refused to move her into a nursing home. I promised her that I would take care of her in our own home where she would feel most comfortable. We eventually moved into a flat to make it easier for her to navigate.
I took care of her for the next 10 years of her life. It was a difficult journey, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. She was my everything and I was determined to keep my promise to her. And even though she is no longer with me, I am grateful for the memories and the love we shared. Age UK never gave up on me and accepted me, providing support during my darkest moments. I will always be thankful for that.
I consider myself incredibly lucky to have found support through Age UK. Last Christmas Day, I was feeling overwhelmed with emotions and knew I needed to get out of the apartment. I don't even remember where I walked to, but I must have been wandering around Norwich for a couple of hours. Unfortunately, everything was closed due to the bank holiday.
Feeling extremely lonely is something I've experienced every December 25th since my beloved wife, Jillian, passed away. We were childhood sweethearts and were married for an incredible 61 years. Christmas used to be a day I looked forward to, but now it's a sad time for me.
I first met Jillian, or Jilly as I called her, when we were in school. Our time together was brief as she moved to Paris with her family. However, she asked my grandmother, who I was living with at the time, if I could write to her. And that's how our love story truly began.
Jillian was lovely, and even though her father was initially unsure about our marriage due to our different backgrounds, he eventually accepted and supported us. We got married in 1960 when I was 20 and she was 21. It was the best day of my life.
We shared everything, there was no "yours" and "mine", only "ours". But our life together wasn't without its challenges. Shortly after we got married, I was called up for National Service. It was a scary time for me, but I ended up in the Medical Corps after 14 weeks of training.
I remember the day they announced our postings. I was relieved when I found out I would be stationed at Colchester Military Hospital. My career in the gas and oil industry meant I was away from home a lot, but Jilly played a huge role in maintaining our home and raising our children.
Despite the distance, our love for each other never wavered. We had a lovely terrace house in Norwich, which my grandfather bought for us, and her parents paid for all our furniture. It was all we needed. Our Christmas celebrations were usually spent abroad, either at a hotel in Malta or exchanging homes with friends in America.
Jilly was an amazing cook, and she always made us a delicious Christmas dinner before we opened presents. I will never forget the ring she got me one year, I still treasure it to this day.
In 2012, Jilly had a fall in the garden. We initially thought she had fainted, but it turned out to be the first sign of a brain haemorrhage. It was a shock, as there were no warning signs. From then on, she needed more care, but I refused to move her into a nursing home. I promised her that I would take care of her in our own home where she would feel most comfortable. We eventually moved into a flat with no stairs, making it easier for her.
For the next 10 years, I cared for Jilly until she passed away. It was the most challenging and rewarding time of my life, and I am grateful for every moment we had together. Age UK never gave up on me and accepted me for who I am, and for that, I will always be thankful.
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