**Diary Entry 12th May 2024**
At 65, its finally dawned on me: our children dont need us anymore. After pouring our hearts, energy, and savings into them, theyve simply moved on. My son wont even pick up the phone when I ring. Some days, I wonderwill any of them spare a thought for us when were too old to care for ourselves?
I married at 25. James had been my sweetheart since school, even following me to university just to stay close. A year after our quiet wedding, I fell pregnant with our eldest, Sophie. James left his studies to support us, while I took a break from mine.
Those were lean years. James worked tirelessly, and I juggled motherhood with finishing my degree. Two years later, along came our son, Oliver. I switched to part-time study, and James shouldered even more shifts to keep us afloat.
Somehow, we raised themSophie, then Oliver. When Sophie started school, I finally landed a proper job. Life eased a little: James had steady work, and we bought our first home. Just as we caught our breath, I found out I was expecting again.
Our youngest, Charlotte, brought fresh challenges. James worked even harder, and I threw myself into raising her. By the time she started primary school, I felt like wed clawed back some stability.
But life had other plans. Sophie, barely at uni, announced her engagement. We didnt objectwed married young, after all. Helping with the wedding and her flat drained our savings. Then Oliver wanted his own place. We couldnt refuse, so we took out another mortgage. Thankfully, he landed a good job in London soon after.
Charlotte, in her last year of sixth form, dreamed of studying in America. It nearly broke us, but we scraped together the funds. She left, and the house fell silent.
Now, the visits are rare. Sophie, though nearby, hardly drops in. Olivers new place in London keeps him even busier. Charlotte stayed abroad after graduation.
We gave them everythingour youth, our money, our love. And now? Were an afterthought. We dont ask for money, just a call, a visit, a bit of warmth. But perhaps its time to stop waiting. Maybe, at 65, weve earned the right to put ourselves first for once.
