John died in May 2018. Christmas 2018 I was sick with a very bad cold for a week or two before Christmas and didn’t feel like being with anyone. I cancelled all holiday plans with friends and stayed in bed all medicated up. I was really sick! It took until February to feel back to normal.

Last year (2019) daughter Kelly and son-in-law David came from California and we had a lovely time.

This year is my third without John and if I let myself be lonely, I sure could be. I’m definitely more alone this year than ever before. The isolation created by the pandemic has meant that single folks like me are often alone in their homes for days on end.

I’m not complaining.

This week I had a friend ask if I mind being alone. I realize I actually like being by myself. I enjoy having friends I can talk to, but I don’t mind being by myself. I find stuff to do: I watch TV, I read a lot, I work on my financial files, and I play online games. My life of isolation isn’t all that bad. I guess I’ve accepted that it’s unlikely that life will ever go back to the “old normal.” I miss the fun we had, but I’ve adjusted.