There is one difference. I do not enjoy doing anything solo, which contributes to my loneliness. I am in therapy, which is good because she really "gets" me. In addition to all my other baggage, she diagnosed me with PTSD due to child abuse. At our last session we talked a lot about my mother and her treatment of me. She told me that in addition to all the things she did to me she also abandoned me. She suggested I write her a letter letting it all out. I did do this, but not sure yet if this solved anything.

I'm 80,:widowed since 2018 and live alone. I miss my husband of 56 years. We have 7 grown children who live in the same city I live in and I hear from all of them some every night to say goodnight and others at least 3 times a week and see them at least two or three times a month, holidays, etc But, I like living taking care and doing things myself. I have decent health, take the BP meds, and have same complaints about not finding decent communication skills from medical doctors so I make my own decisions on what's good for me. The closest relationships I have besides my kids, are those with other "shoppers", lol, at my small community like Walmart, local stores, park, etc. I go when a lot of other people my age, but even young people like stay at home moms or dads are there while other people are at work or school. These people that shop or walk when I do are the ones that will stop and start a chat about simple stuff and 30 minutes later in the middle of an aisle or walking trail we will be solving the problems of the world or our personal issues and happy silly stuff. That's where you find people who are strangers yet care about me and I care about them. I may not ever see them again or maybe here and there. I haven't been to my church close to a year when I've been a member for 11 years. It's like people, not all, including the pastor and staff, are in cliques. I've volunteered in activities for a few years, been in a group settings, pastor saw my husband in the hospital, did my husband's memorial, and yet hell walk right past me otherwise. So, long winded as I am in this post, the interaction with other people has been from strangers and walking away with the feeling of joy and hearing them, caring what they say and feeling a connection.