“When you’re in a negative mood, you’re more likely to interact with people in a negative way.”  John Cacioppo

The holidays are notorious for exacerbating loneliness.  How are you faring through this holiday season?

I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.  (Psa. 102:7; NLT)

Sharon and I just returned a few hours ago from our trip to central Pennsylvania to visit Sharon’s 86 year-old Mother, who as some of you know, is living in an assisted-care facility.  She’s been there since shortly after Sharon’s Dad was killed in an automobile accident around Thanksgiving a year ago.  Dad was returning from visiting Mom in the hospital when he became the victim of an icy, country road.

It’s been hard seeing Mom have to give up her home and move into her current accommodations, as nice as they are.  I believe we were all hopeful that she would soon make some new friends to help heal the wounds of her losses, and at least while away the time.  After all, in the average facility like that there are 20-30 or more residents who are in similar situations which caused them to require assisted care living arrangements.

I, for one, was quite surprised and just a bit frustrated when, instead of making friends, it appeared that Mom chose to isolate herself.  After watching that situation with Sharon’s Mom evolve, and now after reading an article from the Internet that a colleague sent me, I am beginning to see that homes like that are among the loneliest places on earth.

Knowing that more and more of our readers are facing (or have faced) situations similar to ours, i.e., dealing with an aging parent, I wanted to share the article I just mentioned.  It reports a fascinating study that established the fact that “as they get older, lonely people tend to spread their loneliness among others, often by pushing people away. Instead of engaging with and supporting one another, lonely people gradually, over time, isolate more and more from the rest of society.”

We’ve certainly seen that with Mom.  And this article helps put it all in perspective.  My sincere hope is that those of our readers who are, or who are about to, experience similar situations with loved ones, will read the article and not be as naive as I was.  Sometimes the “golden years” are not very golden.

Prayer Power
Father, I thank You for the fact that your omnipresence means that we need never to feel alone.  During those times when our flesh seems to take over and our head convinces us that we are all alone, I ask for an outpouring of Your grace to remind us that we are never alone.

Link of the Day
Is Loneliness Among Older Adults Contagious?

Blessings on you as you reflect on the year behind us and plan for the year and years ahead.

Photo by Lidal-K