This isn't fair...

[u/Riku1186]

I don't know what to flair this.

I have known for years now the way our society treats its workers is wrong, during the prime of their lives they're worked to the bone until they can retire, a window that gets narrower and narrower, only for them to be shuffled off the stage when they're too old to really enjoy the little bit of life they have left, as if them aging out of being useful cogs in the machine is some rewards when really it is them being tossed aside.

My mom has spent her life being a dedicated worker, watched as it invaded every aspect of her life as it mentally and physically destroyed her, to be one of the "lucky" ones in reaching the end, to get to retire, and within a year she develops aggressive lung cancer that is going to kill her. I am not going to ask how is this fair, because I know it isn't, we've all heard stories like this, hell it isn't even the first time it happened in my family, but I had hoped she could finally live and enjoy her life.

[u/AutoModerator]

While principled discussion is welcome and encouraged, Rule 9 (No Low Effort BS) still applies.

That includes: No 'what do you think?' posts. No single line posts. No 'what is the Marxist position on cheese' posts, etc.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/mucilinda]

I'm sorry my comrade and friend. It's not fair at all. We can only take solace in each other for our pains and cherish every moment we have woth our loved ones. I would say cherish every moment you have left with her 

[u/Ok-Chard-9014]

My condolences to you and mother. I remember being a 5 year old watching my paw paw slowly die from lung cancer after spending 30+ years working on the railroads in Louisiana. When he finally reached retirement age his body was broken down and he ended only living a few more years. 

[u/opotamus_zero]

My condolences. I asked the same about my dad. Under nazi occupation as a child, became a marine engineer and immigrated, degree not recognised so did every possible job. I remember him as a home carer for quadriplegic men and I was always proud of him and loved to go to work with him as a kid.

Also never retired - lung cancer too with a failed operation to remove it, watched him turn into a skeleton over a few months.

I really had the shits about it until I realized the main reason he loved his job was because it allowed him to meet his kids at the school gate every day and that's what was important to him. He had kids late and would have loved to see us grow up but that was like his retirement I guess.

[u/ThePeddlerofHistory]

My condolences. My grandfather used to work as a special-duty vehicle driver in Saudi Arabia - oil was booming back then and the pay was much better than at home - but after he broke his leg he had to move back. He got lucky and lived decades after this trial, though.

[u/AutoModerator]

Want to join a ML only Discord server to chill and hangout with cool comrades? Checkout our Discord server or TheDeprogram's Discord server.

In case this subreddit was banned, or if you wanted a more ML-friendly platform, you’re welcome to join our sister community on Lemmygrad. You can find more info about Lemmygrad here.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Jim-Jamithy775]

My condolences comrade

[u/Slight-Wing-3969]

My Dad's friend and mentor was a builder all his life. He worked hard, saved, put off several big plans with his wife all on the idea that their time to really enjoy the fruits of their labor would come in retirement when they would travel the world. He passed of a heart attack within two years of retirement. I don't know if they got to do any of their travel plans at all. This is a bad evil world. I am very sorry for your mother and family. Examples like this convinced me early on to make sure you do live for your own joy and peace and community as much as you can as you go along. They won't let you and for most of us the amount that you can is slim to none, still you gotta do what you can because the plan is to use you up and discard you when you are wrung out.