what do you wish for?

[orleans]

be specific
don't just say money or happiness

[DebJ]

1. To make it through to at least Dec 2015

without a death in the family, or major illness or psychiatric breakdown in the family, and manage to get through that same time period without
filing bankruptcy or foreclosure because of the insane 18000 a year we've had to pay for health insurance until March of next year. And pray the
IRS gives us some time to catch up ... it was pay them and have no health insurance, heat, or housing, that was the choices.

I need a year to just breathe.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Many many more years with my wife living just like we are living now

that will do just fine, thank you!

[csziggy]

3. I want my Mom to have as many years as she wants to live

She's now 93 and in pretty good health. Her major complaint is that she is bored. Most of her friends have died, the ones still alive are not in good health and are failing physically and mentally. She can no longer drive and has to get someone else to take her places. Her caregivers are not interested in the things Mom is interested in so they are a burden to Mom if they take her to events. They tend to be like little kids in church, bored, restless, not willing to sit quietly and pay attention.

Mom no longer has the dexterity to do needlework or the attention span to read histories and research genealogy like she used to for the few times she sat still. She used to always be active, gardening, volunteering, doing research for articles, etc. Local groups that she led are falling apart for lack of leadership.

I want her to live forever but only if she's happy.

For myself, I want to live long enough to finish all the projects I have lined up - genealogy and needlework. With the number of things I already have in mind or the materials for, I may have to live forever!

[Xyzse]

13. You know, I've heard of quite a few elder folk whose motor skills improved

Due to Video Games.

I actually met an 80+ year old in WoW once, when I used to play 5 years ago.

[csziggy]

14. We can barely get Mom to check her email!

One of her grandkids signed her up for Facebook and she checks that sometimes because that is about the only way she gets updates on what the kids are doing. Same for the email. If I call her and tell her I emailed her some photos or something, she will check it, but she doesn't do it as a habit.

But Mom really doesn't like doing much on the computer, so videogames would not work for her. I've got a lot of the family genealogy online most of which is based on her research, but Mom won't go to look at it. It's too bad, because she used to be really into genealogy and still likes to look at what I've added - if I take her hard copies.

A lot of the problem is that her short term memory is going so learning new things is not happening.

[Xyzse]

17. That sucks...

So, Wii, and playing an MMO is out of the question.

Darn...

[csziggy]

19. Yes,she thinks the computer and most games are a waste of time

She was always busy taking care of the house and yard, volunteering with historical and genealogical organizations, and spending time with the family. Now she's alone most of the time aside from the caretakers. One of them is there 24 hours a day but they are not interested in anything according to what Mom says.

When I've visited, they seem to spend most of their time on their cell phones, texting or watching videos. They don't read books at all. Mom's had them take her to the local museums - some of which Mom helped to establish - and they don't want to even look at the displays. It's sad that they have no intellectual curiosity at all.

My sister who lives closer visits a couple of times a week and takes Mom places, so Mom doesn't spend all her time bored. Mom also has her daily routine of walking around the yard and taking care of her flowers. But since Dad died a year ago, she has no one there all the time to share her interests and to talk to her on subjects they both shared.

I think a lot of what has happened is losing Dad after 67 years of marriage. She can't help but feel lost. If she were younger, she's be able and more motivated to find things to do. I can't help but worry that she is giving up on life because she can't have the independence she used to and doesn't have the companionship she had for all those years.

I'm working on a scrapbook about my oldest sister that passed away in 1993 and that may give Mom something to look at and to share with the caretakers. Then I think I will work on one about Dad. She does seem to perk up when we go through the old photos with her, so maybe those will cheer her up.

[grasswire]

23. my 93 year old aunt was very active too

It's hard now. She has been losing her sight to macular degeneration or she would be on the Internet. She listens to books on tape (War and Peace recently). She was always very very busy and a wonderful member of the family. It's very hard to have no responsibilities any more when that was part of your persona.

[csziggy]

24. I hadn't thought about books on tape (or CD)

I think I'll suggest that to my sister to try out with Mom. Mom's eyesight is still pretty good, but she tends to drift when she tries to hold a book to read. Not fall asleep, just zone out.

Maybe listening to books would interest her more - and give her voices with something interesting to say to listen to rather than the caretakers who have no interests in common.

My sister can try out some of the books on her way over to see Mom. It's about 60-90 minutes one way so she spends a lot of time on the highway. She used to listen to books on tape on her commutes when she was working so might get back in the habit again now that she has to drive regularly.

Thanks for the idea!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I have some friends who are really struggling financially...

I want to see their prospects improve hugely!

I have some weight loss goals, and I'm working towards making those happen.

Those are the major ones, for now.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. I wish to feel better.

Nine months of this shit really sucks. I really hope it isn't something serious, but I'd like to know what it is and how it can be treated or at least what I can do to endure it better.

I wish my partner wouldn't let his work take advantage of him and work him so hard without him being fired.

I wish my family could finally find some peace, which doesn't result in the death of someone.

I wish I could find a purpose to my life.

I wish my animals healthy lives.

And, NO TORNADOES THIS YEAR IN OKLAHOMA!

[Heidi]

7. I wish you all that

and more, BtA.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Awww..thank you so much!

I hope all your wishes come true too!

[fizzgig]

6. that my period of stability continues

that i stay stable, that my marriage stays stable, that my job stays stable, that our finances stay stable. i wish for many more years with all my old lady kittehs.

i wish for all americans to have the access to the polls that i do. that all women have the reproductive freedom that i do. that all people are treated with kindness and decency and respect. i wish for all people to know the love that i know.

[shenmue]

28. Squee

[Jamaal510]

9. I wish to be correct about everything I say,

so that when I say something like "I am a billionaire" or "the Oakland Raiders don't suck anymore" or "George W. Bush was never president, and the country never got into two wars", it's automatically true.

[IrishEyes]

10. A little more courage and a lot more confidence.

Also, a paid day off, a delicious meal, a sweet guy and a good night's sleep.

[Tobin S.]

11. This semester to be over with my degree in hand.

[femmocrat]

12. A snowy winter.

That doesn't last too long!

[bigwillq]

15. A cure for all diseases.

The end of poverty and homelessness.

[OriginalGeek]

16. well, before about 5 minutes ago

I wished for peace on earth, more money, better health, etc...


but now i wish for Tocabe: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018667173#post9

[logosoco]

18. For the next two years to be fun and fasinating, but also very fast.

And for everyone to be safe, healthy and well fed. Even the people I don't like so much.

[RebelOne]

20. That all my belongings would be magically packed.

I am planning to move to my son's house because my savings is going down rapidly. My only income is social security. If I moved I would be able to help him financially and cut my costs. The problem is that I can't get myself motivated to start packing, mainly because I need boxes and you just can't get them from the trash at grocery stores any more. I am going to have to buy them and they are expensive. Plus, I am going to have to rent storage space because I have a lot of stuff that will not fit into his house.

[grasswire]

22. two thoughts about boxes

liquor store for sturdy boxes for kitchen items and books
U-Haul -- some locations have free used boxes

[handmade34]

21. to go home

[shenmue]

27. Awww

[Generic Brad]

25. A job that pays about 30% more than I currently make

Yeah. That would be nice.

[shenmue]

26. World peace, a bicycle and a cat

I already have a bicycle.

[Sherman A1]

29. Improvement

in my spouse's health. She has been suffering a variety of issues these last few years.

[chknltl]

30. I wish pets could be cloned cheaply

I could have instead wished that they live forever but that simply would not be fair to our pets. Why should they have to suffer our passing? I have heard that it is currently possible to clone our loyal four legged friends but the price is astronomical. If I COULD afford it, I know I would want to spend another and maybe if I had the time even another lifetime with my faithful dog Molly. (Molly is snoring away in her bed next to mine as I type this, a status that's about to change due to a random hug she is gonna get just after I post this).