Turning Loneliness Around

Have you ever been lonely? I mean, the kind of lonely where people are all around you and you smile like you’re happy, but you’re not? Well, in the last 23 years of living, I have found that most people are lonely and most people fake a smile all the time…I know, because I have been both lonely and full of a fake smile.

How did I remedy this loneliness and the false appearance of living a happy life? I began to reach out to other women. I opened my home, shared my peanut butter, jelly, juice and coffee. I gave what I had in my hand to give. Once I got to know the first person I invited over, we discussed how lonely we were and maybe that others felt the same way. Our two turned into three, which turned into five, which sometimes turned into twelve to fifteen women and our children!

We talked about being better wives and moms. We talked about changing and how we were doing that. We laughed together and cried together. We got mad at each other and forgave each other. We cleaned and painted for each other.

Today, most of these women have left my life. I have cried and felt much pain when I have lost a relationship. However, it never stopped me from reaching out to another…and even when tempted to draw back from those who stayed, I never did, (mostly because they wouldn’t let me). Even with the losses, I have become rich in relationships. Those who have stayed are closer to me than sisters. And, I have formed new relationships that have become longlasting.

I will not quit reaching out because, you see, still new ones continue to come who are lonely and have “fake” smiles. I will always have something in my hand to give them.

Are you lonely? Do you have a home for coffee? Do you have any peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? What do you have in your hand to give? Don’t be afraid. Fear will stop you from becoming rich in relationship. You are valuable and have something to help another. My desire is to see you succeed.