Sunday, February 1, 2009

Taxing Truth 2/01/09

Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.

Mother Teresa
......................
Happy Sunday to you.

This quote from Mother Teresa really hits home to me. I should say it hits apartment. I've never had a place that I considered "home" in my life. My vagabond career took me all over parts of the country and it provided me with temporary dwellings. But there were always people in my life. To produce a drama, a film or play, requires the conscientious efforts and cooperation of many people,if it's done right. And if one person is not doing his job, those around him have to compensate. Hence it is probably the most collaborative art form in the world.

Now that I'm retired and live alone in yet another temporary dwelling, with no friends or family to visit me, I feel the weight of loneliness. Young folks with dreams, plans and energy usually don't care to deal with old folks. Bless the one's who do.

We all make choices in our lives and then have to live with the consequences even if we didn't know what those consequences would be at the time. I try not to look back and wallow in memories. I don't like some of them, for one thing, and I'm more interested in my present and my future for another.

Loneliness is not just a matter of being alone. Sometimes we need to be alone. But to have no one with whom to share your joys and help bear your sorrows is a mean thing.

I wish you good companionship in all of your days.

DB Vagabond

13 comments:

Ken Riches said...

Thank goodness there is the internet, where nobody ever needs to be alone. We are here with you DB.

betty said...

(((DB))) I'm so sorry :(

It must be hard

is there a senior center close by??

I second Ken's comment; we are just a computer screen away

betty

Joann said...

DB, we're here for you!!! I know that's not quite the same as a warm friendly hug with real arms, but we all love you just the same. Are you able to get out or is it too cold?? Can you go to church, or to a coffee shop, bookstore, a place where there are people you can talk to??

Linda's World said...

I have to say the same thing...you know we're nearby. I know it's not the same as having a real live person in the room to talk to once in awhile. But sometimes when I'm around people, I'd rather be alone. And yes...thank goodness for the internet. Linda in Washington

Big Mark 243 said...

I am going to use that Mother Teresa quote.

If anyone wonders why I want to run off to Nebraska, it is because I understand that I risk being trapped in the arid desert of loneliness.

Like you, I have been here and there, but the only place I have ever felt alone, is here, at home. This is to say, that home is where you make it.

You mention that we make choices, and live with the consequences. You speak about dealing with them, and living in the present.

I do get what you say about having someone to share your joys with, yet I am careful for asking for that. I really do think I could be 'good' were I to be to myself, and that is that with that. Whenever I reflect on my 'what was', I smile and accept that my choices brought me here. I don't long for or miss what may have been opportunities, because there would have been something else, something unseen and unimagined to change things.

I am going to make what is new, when I get there. As for being either alone or in company ... it will be what it will be. I can only do what I can, to shape and make things the way that I want them to be.

SolitaryDancer said...

Bless your heart. It's like your stepped inside my head and read my thoughts.

I agree with you 100% and even though I am still working I am very alone.

Hugs and love, my friend

deb

Dannelle said...

Winter depression- Spring is coming and we are always blooming around the net regardless- You are my tragic hero, Hugs, Dannelle

Sage Ravenwood said...

Even though I have a complete home, love and all the furry denizens running around. If it were not for this contraption sitting on my lap...my world would indeed by a solitary existence. My deafness at times imprisons me in a world of one. Thankfully with the internet I can expand my horizons and touch base with friends like you. Your not alone when your here with us dear one! (Hugs)Indigo

Sugar said...

i am also alone, friend. i'm home bound, so i can' get out & about or i'd take in the senior center...they have lunch there dly & different things (like bingo, cards, dancing, etc) ea day m-f. is there something like that where you live,can you physicaly go? if so, give it a try a couple days a week. :)
church is also a great place to get involved, i like little churches, but big churchs usually have a senior group.
also, what about a dog from a shelteer? they make wonderful companions...i lean on my 3 dogs to keep me from being too lonely.
and of course the computer, it's my window to the world. have met many kind people thru our blogs.
come visit me, i make tags to keep me busy, post them every few days, & make a post about my life wkly.
sending good vibes your way, & a little prayer to the Man upstairs.
huggies...

Beth said...

I echo what the others have said--here we are!

Love, Beth

Sybil said...

Hi There DB I am here over in the UK a little tiny village where one could be lonely if one did not go and look for someone to speak to...I know as I am not good at having conversations with strangers (Unless we are on the internet when I never seem to have any trouble !!) I was fortunate to find a nice church here and many friends...
If you need an internet friend I am here. I am sorry I don't have a blog now (used to on ALO but when it closed down so did I!!)
syilsybil45@aol.com
is where you will find me
Sybil

Arlene (AJ) said...

DB, I hope you know that I'm here for you anytime you need a friend. I'm only as far away as the keyboard dear.

Gerry said...

I think that we all wonder how we might have plannned things differently so we would have more action going on in old age. I have had many moments where I felt that I just didn't have enough people in my life. But the bare stretch usually does not last too long until someone or a good book, a movie, something comes in to give me sustenance. Today it has been Frank Capra's very lively memoir about his life in pictures and the Superbowl with the Arizona Cardinals. And a visit by a grandson, Dante. My kids have provided a lot of pickups in my life, so the time I spent raising them and looking after their needs seems like time well spent. I always feel concerned about people's feelings of loneliness because I know how real that has to be, so hoping these feelings will pass for you with some sort of pickup. Oh oh, the Cardinals just lost, well, they had to pull too many miracles out of the hat to win this won, but they did play well enough they won't have to be too down! (I am from Arizona) I often envy people who have had lives in the limelight, thinking that is something I missed altogether even though trying for it with plays, novels, etc. But I am getting too old to make it, so there must be a solid feeling of accomplishment about a busy career. Gerry