Hello? Anyone out there?!?

As a divorced person with no kids at home, it's often way too quiet around the house. I'm always looking for something to do and someone to hang out with. And I don't mean a date, necessarily. I am pretty sure that God will not be sending me anyone until the annulment goes through. I know. Crazy talk, right? Maybe. Regardless, I have a profile on Plenty of Fish, but no one contacts me and those I contact don't typically respond. Besides, I'm talking about every day life here. 

My friends seem to forget about me when it's time to make plans. They make plans with other married couples. Makes sense, I guess, but sometimes the things they do could include a fifth wheel like me. I'm fun! Why don't you all ever ask me to go to the movies or out to dinner or to the local ice cream joint? It's frustrating, really. And it feels as if I am discriminated (for lack of a better word) against for not having a spouse. Really? 

You could argue that I need to just have girl time. Okay, that would be great, but most of my friends have kids at home of varying ages, so it's difficult for them to find time. When they do have time, they want to spend it with their spouses which makes total sense. So, I guess I should just find other single women to hang out with. That's easier than it sounds, believe me! 

Yesterday at mass, the deacon who did the homily asked everyone when the last time was that they served the downtrodden and lonely like prisoners and the elderly. I sat there thinking that I am often downtrodden and lonely - maybe not in the same way as prisoners and people older than me, but I could certainly use someone's time and attention in the form of a phone call or dinner or a walk. I think that sometimes we look at acts of service as some grand gesture like visiting a prison when a simple phone call to friend who lives alone would be just as needed and appreciated. I try to do that for others in a similar position. Sometimes it's a phone call or something fun to post on their facebook wall. Or if I see a little something I think they might like when I am at WalMart, I pick it up and give it to them the next time I see them. 

One of the advantages of being alone is that no one knows or cares what I am doing which means I can run around the house in my underwear if I want to! One of the disadvantages of being alone is that no one knows or cares what I am doing which is just plain lonely.

So, if you know someone like me, pick up the phone and give them a shout, please. Let them know that they are not as alone as they may feel. Invite them to the movies with your family or to go out and run errands with you. It doesn't take much.

In the meantime, I pray:

Lord, thank you for always being with me. I know You hold my hand as I go through the day. Please help me embrace my alone time and not feel lonely for lack of earthly companionship. Please give me the strength to ask for others' time and not feel rejected when they are too busy. Please give me the fortitude to not give up on finding friends to spend time with. Please allow me to be as peaceful as possible while waiting to find that special someone who will want to spend time with me and who will fill the roaring silence in my head and heart and home. I love you, Lord. Thank you for my blessings great and small, for truly I am blessed.