DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a younger widow. I married my husband when I was in my 20s and he was in his 50s. After 34 years of love, he passed away. This was a few years ago.
Originally, I was not looking for much and was not sure I could ever be happy again without my husband. Now, I find myself lonely. I have my friends, but they are all in happy marriages or in long-term relationships following divorces. Our children are all out of the house, but I just don't see many good things on my horizon. To top it off, the family dog is now about to pass, and I will be the only one left in a four-bedroom home.
I feel apprehensive about trying to find someone new in my life. I don't even think I would want to date again. I would just like to meet some new people and have activity in my life. My friends act as though I am unavailable for love and fun, so they don't invite me to events. I am tired of feeling so alone, but I don't know where to turn. How can I find a group of people like me in this technological age? -- The In-Between, Pikesville, Maryland
DEAR THE IN-BETWEEN: You have a few choices to consider. Start with selling your house and moving into an apartment building. You could downsize and buy a condo or co-op and be in closer proximity to other people in a more manageable home. Take a class that puts you in the company of other like-minded people. You can also consider checking out dating websites for mature people. Even if you don't find a soul mate, you could have fun meeting new people.
What you don't want to do is feel stuck in awkward connections with old friends who aren't sure how to include you. Expand your horizons!