I do not usually spend time alone. When Ron is working in the garden or he and my son are away for any day trips, I have Boudica and Bairre with me always, and those two are absolutely just furry people. This week, however, I have spent the last four days, from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon, completely alone.
My son is at a music camp on the coast of Maine, in beautiful Rockport. Since the drive is long, I have just spent my week working on my computer in a fantastic little library and then walking around. I have done a lot of walking around. In fact, I just checked my phone, and in the last four days, I have walked 20.53 miles. I have been trying a new strategy in my quest for better health and less anxiety: I walk, run, jog, bike, garden, pull weeds, climb stairs, and anything else I can think of until I am fairly exhausted physically. This seems to keep my anxiety down, which is an overall health improver.
But spending so much time walking alone this week has been an eye opener for me. I often think I would like a little alone time, but I haven’t liked it very much. I have also realized that being around animals keeps me from feeling alone, and that seems like a very hopeful thing.
The first day of my adventures alone, I had zero interactions with dogs, cats, birds, etc. Not a soul. I walked through neighborhoods and didn’t even see a squirrel. I missed all of the animals at home. I talk to the chickens. The ducks will hang out and nibble on me if I sit still long enough. Watching the chickadees and hummingbirds also makes me feel like I have company. And, of course, having a Great Pyrenees next to me is always so comforting.
I missed Ron and my son too, of course, but I am very aware that my son will grow up and move away. And, when it’s just me and Ron, I’ll lose him every summer to his garden. Ron also actually needs and likes regular alone time, so I’m thankful that the company of animals is so comforting to me. I’ll never have to be alone very much, will I?
My mom is alone and has been struggling with this greatly. She has been sick from long COVID, shingles, and a variety of autoimmune issues, and I think her loneliness adds to her struggles. Well, of course it does because our mental health impacts our health so much. And, for my mom, her dogs are just not enough company. She says she’s lonely. I try to call her several times a week, but I wish she had chickens or a Great Pyrenees, though she is not really a “big dog” person like I am. She likes little dogs. I think though she is not as much of an animal person as I am, and this week, as I have walked the coast of Maine alone and thought about myself, my mom, and my animal friends, I have been thankful to be the way I am. I am thankful that I am able to connect so deeply with animals.
One time, I read an article about an elderly woman who turned her farm into a rescue farm in her old age and just took care of older animals as they lived out their lives. I wish I could find that article.
