Fighting Loneliness One Idea At A Time

Continued from page 4

Turn to Friends

What we have done is that we get together once a month. There are eight of us and we meet at a restaurant or other location and spend a couple of hours catching up on what has happened since our last gathering. It is BIG FUN, and we get a chance to spend quality time with our adult friends.
--Patricia, Ill.

I have done something every so often that helps rejuvenate my spirits and those that are around me. Invite all your friends, especially those you have not seen in awhile, and rent a limousine or a big passenger van with a driver, and visit a big city near you. Enjoy the sites, the company, the feeling of friendships, and bring a camera. This will always help to pick you up and remind you of the wonderful life you have. It always works for me.
--Bill, Philadelphia, Pa.

I have a very tight circle of friends (nine of us in all) but we all travel and have very busy lives so we've come up with ways to use technology, as well as traditional means, to stay in touch. We meet once a week in the morning online using Yahoo conferencing, so no matter who is out of town or what's going on, we all get a chance to catch up and boost each other. We also plan events (BBQs, weekend getaways, concerts, fairs) ahead of time so people can plan around them but we also make sure that we always invite everyone. We update the rest of the group if there's news, something funny to share or a birthday or anniversary to remember through text messages, email or instant messenger. Most of all, we've made it a priority not to let one of us wander off for long without going after them and saying, "Where do you think you're going?"
--Lori, Sacramento, Ca.

Twice weekly I meet friends for lunch and dinner. One night a week I meet with my gal friends at the local hotel to enjoy refreshments and conversation. Many of my former classmates from high school gather once a month for breakfast and sharing of our lives. While many of those classmates are from around our hometown, we are also joined on occasion by those who are visiting in town or live within a day's driving distance. This October our high school class will celebrate with our 50th reunion, so we are busy planning that weekend.
--Carol, Marietta, Oh.

Continued on page 6: 'Take the time to have a conversation with someone.' »