They say growing old is not for the faint of heart. It’s kind of silly really, because nobody has a say in how long they live, but it’s true that outliving everyone you’ve ever loved is a lonely place to be.
Marleen Brooks learned firsthand how growing old isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be after coming home to a note from her 90-year-old neighbor, Wanda. It completely wrecked her.
Facebook
The elderly woman, who lives down the street from Marleen, wrote her a note asking if the two could be friends because she’s lonely.
“Would you consider to become my friend. I’m 90 years old- live alone. All my friends have passed away. I’m so lonesome and scared. Please I pray for someone.”
Just thinking about how much life she’s lived and the things she’s seen is amazing. It breaks my heart to know that she doesn’t have someone to share her time with.
It broke Marleen’s heart too.
“Came home to this note from a lady that lives down the street from me. Makes my heart sad, but on the bright side it looks like I will be getting a new friend.”
Wanda didn’t just get one new friend, but two. Marleen and her best friend went over to the neighbor’s house that evening with cupcakes in hand. The three women talked and got to know each other.
Facebook
“She’s such a sweet lady! And she was over the moon when we came over,” Marleen said. “Wanda told me, ‘I hope you didn’t think I was stupid for writing you, but I had to do something. Thank you so much for coming over. I’ve lived here for 50 years and don’t know any of my neighbors.’”
Can you imagine living somewhere for 50 years and never finding the community that God created us to be for one another?
Marleen says that she and Wanda will be seeing a lot more of each other, and she’s sure they’ll have some great times.
Wanda’s loneliness isn’t uncommon—especially among elderly people in our communities.
We were never created to live in isolation, but to connect and grow in community with one another. There’s no age limit on how long we should be there for one another. Yet so many people over the age of 50 struggle to find the friendships we all long for—which are crucial to our overall well-being, physical and mental health.
Touched by her newfound friendship with Wanda, Marleen launched a Facebook group called “Pen Pals for Seniors,” which aims to empower, enhance and improve the quality of life for the elderly within our communities.
Facebook
The news anchor who shared Marleen’s story encouraged others to reach out to their neighbors—young or old.
“There are so many others out there who are lonely just like Wanda. I would ask that maybe you consider knocking on their door and saying ‘Hi.’” He continues, “I know it would mean the world to them. And who knows, maybe you’ll make a new friend.”
We can’t control how long we live, but we do have a say in who we live this life with. Everyone needs friends and a place to belong. My prayer is that we could all find that, and also be that person to another today.
