At its most basic, personality is the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that make a person unique. Ok, the words are not from me, but since living on my own without Mr. Swiss, he now being in a senior home, my unique character has changed a little.

From one day to the other you are responsible for the complete financial situation. I pay the bills and make the financial decisions and have become an accountant of sorts. I have completed my fist income tax form on my own. Of course my man at the bank was a great support and help, but I have it under control. I was now cooking for myself and my son – one advantage as I could now eat what I like and not have to take others so much into consideration. No. 1 son does not eat mushrooms, broccoli or brussel sprouts, but otherwise eats everything.

I no longer watch the TV, prefer to read a book. I do not need the TV in the background accompanying my thoughts, I listen to mainly classical radio as background music. Otherwise I am a normal person (what is normal) although life is now certainly a little different for me. After sharing life with your husband for 55 years it was certainly something completely different. I think what I miss most of all is having someone to talk to, although in the last couple of years Mr. Swiss was no longer the talkative type. Growing old changes us all. I have also probably changed, but that is the problem. You never notice your own character change, because we are all convinced (generally) that we do not change.