Good question, morning glory. First of all, (((MorningGlory))) so very sorry about the tragic loss of your son. And I’m sorry the rest of the kids and grands are too busy for you too

I recently befriended a 74 year old lady in a similar situation. Actually her daughter contacted me to see if I could help her Mom because she was at the end of her rope. The Mom lives in a senior apt.,trusts absolutely no one, and lives completely in the past. Still very VERY bitter over a divorce that happened 35 years ago. Her mind races a million miles an hour as do her conversations. She needs knee surgery but will never have it, nor probably should she as she would never do the exercise needed afterwards. She also has heart trouble. She was THE best at anything she did when she was younger, I don’t care what it was, she was the best. Men lusted after her...you catch my drift? This is where her mind is 24/7. She’s lonely, has no one to talk to except me, and I understand why. Our phone conversations aare at LEAST 2 1/2 hrs long each time. I just mostly listen, she needs to talk. I agree with mostly whatever she is babbling about, tell her how proud she should be of herself for walking away from an abusive marriage all those years ago, laugh at things she says...which really tickles her. So bit by slow bit I’m gaining her trust. We’re at the point that it is HER suggestion that we get some boxes and together start working on apartment. My heart aches for her... I can’t even imagine living like she does, filled with negativity, bitterness over past deeds. How can she ever move forward??? It takes me a good half our to settle down after our phone calls.
now where was I going with all of this? I know this isn’t you, but the loneliness is. I think friends our same age is the key answer. Kids don’t understand what we are going through and some of them don’t want to. Is it ossible for you to move some place where their are others in a similar situation? Where you can talk about the good old days? About your past life and experiences? Complain about aches and pains and the others will fully understand and share the same???? I wish this so much for you. Getting old IS hard, but we can make it a better, I think, if we try