Ever since my wife died in 4 years ago, I’ve considered myself as a loner. I’m retired. I’m a homebody. I spend most of my time alone. Or so I thought.
It’s not accurate. My perspective was skewed.
I have not been alone. I’ve been part of a family of my own creation. At first, it was me and Snickers. Then a year later, it was, me, Snickers and Wiggles.
I’m part of the early morning lap swimmer group at my pool. I’m a member of the late morning people who walk on the greenway. I’m an active participate in neighborhood street walking and chatting.
I’m an active member of what I refer to as my friendship love triangle – three men who have been friends for almost 20 years. I’ve got another friend of almost 30 years who I haven’t seen in decades but who I connect with by phone every few weeks.
So I’ve got many tribes. They are different than those I participated in during other chapters of my life, but are no less valuable.
I may be a loner, but I am not alone.