How to create new Platonic/family relationships for a single, retired 56 year old ?

Question

I'm not sure how to ask this, but I would really appreciate kind answers. I have plenty of negative in my life now :) I guess you could sum it up by saying I am in the empty nest syndrome, but also single/divorced for 20 years by choice, and no family and no friends due to extended illness. I am extroverted, love to be social, am a leader/strong personality, and I get used easy because I "reach out" and then expect the same back. What are some ways I could make new friendships that might grow deep enough to give me a "family" feeling eventually or feel like I belong somewhere. I bet there are widows and widowers on here who have ideas ??? ANd I've been in this smallish community for 32 years, but we have lots of new retirees with money moving in from CA, but I don't have money .

Answer 1

Do you belong to a church or a spiritual organisation? You could maybe start by making some friends there. If your illness doesn't prevent it or make you too tired, you could also try volunteering. Depending on how much money is available in your area (I don't know how it works where you are), you could become a foster mum. I know that in some places they pay you to take care of a child, and for that child's needs. You could maybe find someone who needs you as much as you need him or her.

Answer 2

It doesn't take money on your part to find friends who have money to spend. You need to have the same interests to become friends. It is fairly difficult to find a male who is happy with a platonic relationship, since he is run by testosterone which sort of dictates "certain activities". Perhaps you could visit a retirement home where there are so many people who see their "busy" families very seldom. Visit senior centers and find some women who are also alone and hold a "coffee klatsch" once a week in your homes on a rotating basis. In Germany we are doing this for centuries. Good luck!