Hi Grace,
I'm sorry that you are having these concerns. I understand something of what you feel. I am 78 and my husband died recently. I, too am lonely but apprehensive about visiting people when invited. I do find reasons why I can't visit. I'm suffering from incontinence so that makes a good excuse. I've been invited for Thanksgiving and have said no. However, this person who invited me has given me flowers when she heard my husband died and also tea from Japan on her vacation. Plus the other day she was grocery shopping and brought me two oranges! I don't feel that I can refuse her invitation without offending her. So, I am going to accept even though I feel a little nervous about it. Perhaps that is what we have to do. I will just pray about it and it will turn out fine.

You mentioned that you feel like you have nothing to offer because you are old. But you have a lot to offer because you lived in a time that many people didn't. They don't know what life was like in the days that you lived and you can share that with them; much better than a history book! I had a friend who lived in New York City in the early 1900's when horses were the common method of transportation and cars were rare; at least for the average working person. She was a wealth of information about those days! I learned so much from her!
I wish you the best! I will say a prayer for you.
PML