How much does the society value you?

I am totally replaceable. I do things but others could do them if I were not around. If (or it is more a case of when) I need expensive medical care (eg hip replacement) assuming it will still be available on the NHS, I would ask myself, does my existence justify this? And the answer would probably be no, but then would I want to continue to exist without it being done? Again no. At the same time, what about the existence of those that are much younger, grossly overweight couch potatos on Warfarin for DVT bringing up children on a diet of pizza, burgers and chips to follow in their own footsteps? ( I have seen these on the bus and at Warfarin clinic). Should I give up my hip replacement to give them a stomach bypass, or to give a 15 year old a designer vagina?

Seriously, I feel a need to volunteer for something more useful than the U3A I help to run. There is more to life than just socialising and hobbies.

None of us are irreplaceable, but that doesn't mean that we have no value. Our place in society is to simply be; without us there is no society, no community, no family. The 'roles' we have are sometimes given, 'daughter/sister', and sometimes appointed, 'bus driver/teacher' and sometimes they are chosen, 'friend/volunteer'. All have meaning and are of value and I can't imagine many of us have simply one role or can prioritise just one role over all others.

I still see my role as a back up for my daughters should they fall on hard times. I grew up with a mother who was in the WVS ( war time vountaryservice) and so always thought you should do something for other people. I have done this, years and years of it and now only help in a charity shop where most of our customers are refugees

The rest of the time is for myself and doing what I want to do when I want to do it.

I feel I should try not to burden society more than is necessary when you get old but I suppose in the end we will have no control over it.

We didn't ask to be born. Why should we be expected to justify our existence once we are here?

I'm off to see if I can find any of DD's discarded Care Bears and to have a lie down.
I just sent a bagful of Care Bears to the charity shop and now I wish I hadn't.
(I did keep one )

Now I shall go off muttering 'Who are we - Why are we here - what is the purpose of life?'

I was doing that to myself this lunch time looking in the mirror Jalima pulling ugly faces too.

Screwed up? me? No way .

Now I’m singing Shiny happy people .

I think my role is probably no different than many woman of earlier generations ie keeping it all going , being supportive , Domestic goddesses definitely ? financial genius come juggler! Adjudicator, bank of Mum ocassionly, firstaider , childminder, teacher, pacifier,chief cook & bottle washer ,gardener, bedroom activist ?bit creekythat one? etc etc

We ‘ordinariy ladies ‘are the backbone of society ?

Who you callin’ Ordinary Bridgeit ?

I’m boring as hell but definitely not ordinary

Star bird not everyone who has DVT has it self inflicted! I have a giant liposarcoma in my stomach which makes me look pregnant/overweight! And as a result of the pressure of the tumour have DVT in my leg which require me to take blood thinning injections! You can’t assume that everyone who looks like they have a large tummy and DVT are obese!

Well of course I meant ExtraOrdinary,Gillybob??

I think my role at the moment is to tidy, clean and cook
and do the washing

Of course you did Bridgeit silly me .

??