Five years ago we did not know yet that Peter had cancer. Five years ago we were getting ready for another trip to Berlin. Five years ago Peter turned 81,
In the movie ‘June again’ June, the matriarch, is played by Noni Hazlehurst. After a severe stroke and several smaller strokes, June does not know what happened over the past five years. So five years have gone, and then, to everyone’s surprise, she is gradually able to remember things about her life that went on before she had the stroke. The family is quite shocked, when totally unexpectedly, June is in their lives again! So this is ‘June again’ after five years!
I wonder, if I had such a severe stroke now, what would I miss out on over the next five years? Since I absolutely do not believe in euthanasia, I guess I would have to accept it, if, against all odds, I survived such a stroke. I just do not want anyone to help me to survive something like this!
Now back to the example in the movie. So, June obviously did survive the stroke, but she is severely disabled. In all likelihood no permanent cure can be counted on. So she does need constant looking after. The family leaves her in a home, where admittedly she is being treated very well, but without any significant family contact.
In this make feel good movie June ends up with loads of family contact, and even the love of her life meeting her again and staying with her in the twilight of her life! Well, this is as good an ending as can be. There is lots of love and caring all around. So I find it is a make feel good movie, even though it makes me think a lot about it how problematic caring for old people actually is in our society!
AuntyUta 
This is where Caroline and I saw the movie ‘June again’:
https://www.galacinema.com/movie/juneagain
JUNE AGAIN
Mature Audiences
Runtime:99 Minutes
Cast:Noni Hazlehurst, Claudia Karvan, Nash Edgerton, Stephen Curry, Uli Latukefu
Consumer Advice:Coarse language
SYNOPSIS
A twist of fate gives family matriarch June (Noni Hazlehurst) a reprieve from a debilitating illness. Much to their amazement, June re-enters the lives of her adult children, Ginny (Claudia Karvan) and Devon (Stephen Curry), and learns that ‘things haven’t gone according to plan’. With limited time but plenty of pluck, she sets about trying to put everything, and everyone, back on track. When her meddling backfires, June sets out on a romantic journey of her own and discovers she needs help from the very people she was trying to rescue.
Unfortunately, Uta…in witnessing just recently the tragedy of at least two people I know well succuming to serious stroke..and now in their last weeks or days..I have in my late life come to realise that when it comes to suffering personal medical catastrophe, we are all – individually – on our own….on one’s own…for while some may care for you and some may help and attend to your needs, in the end, one is really on one’s own, for all the worry and careing and concern cannot correct the situation that one may have to endure – on one’s own.. until the end…and worst of all, it can happen in one afternoon, one hour or one split second…and then that is it.. and no..I am not depressed with the situation, I have already started to reflect on a life – I won’t say “well” and I won’t say “bad” – lived as complete as I could.
It all depends. The last few weeks, months or years might well be happy ones. My parents had a few good years, but they went back to Holland where aged care is totally different from here in Australia.
Here in Australia the aged are ‘endured’ rather than given good care on a humane level.
The ABC is showing how it could be with their program about the aged living with 4 year old’s.
It is important that the elderly remain part of the society and also live within that society and not be locked away in old age homes like at present.
Sufficient unto the day be the evil thereof … we can prepare ourselves for some things, but life has a way of turning up the unexpected.
That sounds like a movie I’d like to see.
Thank you for sharing it with us, SweetUta!
I’m not sure any country does as good a job as they should providing care for those who need care. Especially the well-seasoned folks. I like when they can remain in their own homes as long as possible. And if they don’t have family to care for them, I hope they can find a safe place to live and be cared for.
My Mom gave up living alone in the family home at age 90. Her choice. We researched and found her a wonderful Senior Home to live in. She had her own apartment. And there was help, care, meals, cleaning, laundry, etc, all available if and when she wanted or needed it. She lived there 7 years before she died. She was very happy there. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks, everyone, for all your great comments about life and death. I like all your comments very much! 🙂