Re: How lonely for some !!!

That really hit home with me, admittedly for selfish reasons.

I know that I'd feel exactly the same if my wife died before me. Hopefully, unlikely as she's nine years younger than me.

But if that happened, I'd be very much in the same boat. I've never been a gregarious person or good at socialising. I have no real friends of my own, apart from my wife of course, and those good friends we have are all friends of my wife rather than me. Neither do we have any children.

I have a brother and a sister who live about 50 miles away. My wife is rather more unfortunate (or fortunate, perhaps!) as her sister lives in Eastbourne and her brother in Plymouth, so even more inaccessible. When I die on the other hand, although she'll be devastated and perhaps lonely, she'll still have friends of her own age and she is much more outgoing than I and able to make new friends very easily, and I'm glad for her because of that. She'll still be on her own, though. Despite my having assured her that I'd be very happy if she found another man, she tells me she wouldn't hear of it.

Re: How lonely for some !!!

Oh dear, don't get sad JBR, things have a way of working out sometimes.

Re: How lonely for some !!!

Pity this original letter was in the Daily Mail rather than my local paper or I could have responded with all the helpful advice you 50er's have given. But am absolutely sure he is not alone. I am a pensioner myself but will never admit to it. That's between me, family, friends, my wrinkles, cracks and crevices and the mirrors!! and it's because I always think this way that I may sometimes forget to give more time to pensioners older and wiser than myself.
All I can do is be more considerate and give more of my time if I do meet up with them and not give excuses to rush away.

Re: How lonely for some !!!

I drive and whenever I see an older person standing at my local bus stop I always stop to offer a lift into town. They are very grateful, but I have to say they have provided some really interesting conversations en route.

Re: How lonely for some !!!

Thanks Mups, but I assure you that I am very happy at the moment. As for the future, we shall see.

Re: How lonely for some !!!

Oh dear, Twinky. I hope that one day you don't accidentally pick up a weirdo or, worse, a dangerous weirdo.

Re: How lonely for some !!!

It is usually an old lady with her shopping bag, going to the market...... and I think I can handle them if they become wierd

Re: How lonely for some !!!

Saint Twink

Re: How lonely for some !!!

I don't think so Goldie, I suspect I may be being a bit selfish because they tell me some very amusing stories. One lady told me she had just recovered from a broken arm and was unable to dress herself. I had tears running down my cheeks, from laughter, when she told me about how her husband tried to help her dress. She said that years before he never had problems helping her undress, but he wasn't sure how to put them on.

Re: How lonely for some !!!

Ooh, I don't know. Some of those old ladies can be...

well, take my mother-in-law for example. Yes. Please take my mother-in-law.