Articles in newspapers and magazine, including AARP, TV programs, many featuring health experts, and even doctors now all agree that loneliness can cut our live short. But advice how to overcome it varies. One idea, however, keeps popping up again and again:
“You must make new friends!” Not impossible but easier said than done. Yes, I am out there meeting new people but they don’t always turn into friends. And if they do we have little history together and making history takes time (and how much time do I have?)
So when the other day I was cleaning out a desk drawer I saw an old address book. I opened it slowly and started reading the names – oh, there was Janine’s name – I remember her as a fun person always ready for a joke. And there is Peter’s name – did he ever get married to the girl he was dating? After thinking and wondering for a while I told myself to stop wondering and to pick up the phone and dial the number I still had – surprise – it worked-and many other worked too. And if you wonder how to start a conversation after 5-10-15 years, my opening is, “This is a voice from the past, this is Brigitte.'” Silence – but not for long, “Oh, really what a surprise – how have you been? How nice to hear from you….” and so on and so on.
One of my here is a voice from the past calls was to a couple who had attended my son’s wedding 20 years ago . It took us close to an hour to catch up a little, a promise to meet soon and not to lose touch again was confirmed by exchanging emails.
I have other examples, but I don’t want to bore you with my friends. I am sure you have an old address book too! Reading through it is a nice way to walk down memory lane and to bring back the past – now being older the past is something we need more than ever.
And it might only be a phone call away – make that call and say ‘here is a voice from the past!’
And Never forget – A smile Changes Everything!
Brigitte
Ready to Live Longer 