A Lonely Brave Man

Dear Reader,

You never know what is really going on with your neighbors or co-workers unless they let you in and share with you. Today I want to share with you a story about a brave lonely man I met.

I moved into a 55+ apartment complex in the Green Valley area of Las Vegas even though I was younger. I did this because I work from home and wanted a quiet community. I don’t like a lot of noise.

One day I was sitting outside in the sun when a new gentleman who moved in a few weeks ago came over and started talking to me. It turns out 4 months ago he lost his wife to cancer and then he was diagnosed stage 4 cancer. He shared that he is not really unpacking since he won’t be around for long, he has 6 weeks to 3 months left to live.

We talked about his anxiety and depression he was experiencing. I shared with him some ways to help manage the symptoms. We talked about supplements, lifestyle and health. 

I was getting ready to go back inside when he asked me for a favor. He shared that since his wife died and he moved that he is so incredibly lonely. He asked if I would come over a few days a week and just talk to him. He got emotional as he asked for this and explained how hard it was to be alone all the time.

I am sharing this story of the brave lonely man because we never really know what our neighbors are going through. This man knew he was lonely and asked for company. How many are lonely and don’t ask for company or support? How many long for a friend or for conversation?

It seems that there are more lonely people than ever these days. We can be surrounded by people and still be lonely. Now that you can get almost anything online and shipped to you, it is easier and easier to stay alone than mingle with others. We can stream movies all day long, order groceries or even cooked food. Yet most people don’t let others know that they are lonely. 

As a human we need human touch and contact. Without it there is sadness, depression and anxiety. What if we all acted like that brave man and asked for what we needed? What if we told others that we are lonely and asked for company? 

I saw a funny article the other day about this ranch on the east coast that charges folks to cuddle with their cows. Supposedly it helps calm anxiety and takes away stress. Cows!

What if instead of paying to cuddle a cow, you reach out to a person?  What if you told someone you were lonely?