I'm on my own. Wouldn't say I'm lonely, just 'on my own'. Met and married a lovely woman 37 years ago and had three boys. We'd spend hours out in the countryside together, watching the lads play and learn. It was the joy of 'our' offspring growing up that bound us I think.
Sadly, as the kids got older, more independent and didn't need us quite so much we drifted apart.
Seven years ago, after much bickering and frustration we separated and divorced.
'Oo good', I thought, 'I can do what I want now. Come and go as I please. Answerable to no one. Maybe find myself a 'stunner'. How wrong could I be. Where is that 'someone' when I need to share a thought? Our special places, although still special to me, aren't 'our' places anymore.
When I sit down and just want to reminisce, I talk to myself. It's just not the same. That 'stunner' I sought was really the lass I'd just divorced.
Would I want to get involved with someone new? I doubt it. She wouldn't be part of the best bits of my life … my memories, and that wouldn't be fair on her.
No, I'm not lonely … I am alone though and shall remain so because no other bugger would have me.