I belong to a little group, four daughters whose Mums were in the same dementia lodge. I was the first to become an "orphan" in November 2012 and today three of us went to the funeral of the last "Mum" to go. We have drawn on each other for a lot of strength in the last fourteen years (my Mum was the first arrival in September 2002) and swear we will go on doing so. it is amazing how life draws people together for support and I am grateful to the three other women for the support and encouragement we have been able to give to each other.
I'm in a similar situation but our group has developed much more recently. My first friend's husband died last March. Bill died in July. My second friend's husband died just before Christmas. We have supported each other along the way and a strong bond has developed. It is indeed amazing how life draws people together. This friendship has been one of the silver linings of dementia. The other is the support received in this forum.