You are definitely not alone. I am 52, with a husband and three children still home, sons 14,19, and 26. I try to keep house which means cooking and a little laundry and cleaning. Very little. Now that I have hurt my back I haven't even been up to that. My hands still allow me to knit and I have always found meaning, distraction, and productivity in needlework. The time is coming when I won't be able to do even that and I try not to think about it. I do not think I will be able to cope when all I can do is read and be taken care of, after spending my life taking care of everyone else. I do not really have any other purpose in life, and it is hard for me to let others take care of me.

As long as I can do needlework I am okay with all the other losses.