Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
July 26, 2023
After watching this video I realized I am an apple tree. When you watch this, you'll understand that you very well could be one too.
If you are then understand, there are a lot more like us, going through the same things and feeling lonely. My problems are not solved but I sure do have a big smile on my face after being remined I'm not alone!
Showing posts with label loneliness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loneliness. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The pandemic turned the Golden Oldies years into the Golden Lonelies!
The pandemic turned the Golden Oldies years into the Golden Lonelies! The article on Spectrum news about seniors being hit by loneliness because of the pandemic hit me hard. For me, it was moving into a new state 4 months before the pandemic shut everything down. The new state was hard enough for an extrovert like me. I was planning on solving that problem by getting a part-time job since I was close to retirement age. Most of the friends I made over the years were with coworkers. The pandemic killed that idea. My husband and I are both high-risk, so, I decided to just wait it out and take early retirement.
Three years later, I haven't made any new friends. I thank God we have friends living not too far away that we've had for decades and our daughter is up here too, or I'd go completely insane. (Confession, I'm close enough to it now.)
During all this, I realized that some of the people I called "friends" turned out to be not interested in anything more than what politically motivated them. They refused to wear a mask or understand what COVID was doing to people. They refused to get vaccinated. Why? Because their political leaders were saying it was all a hoax.
They were supposed to be "Christian" but apparently, anything that Jesus preached they should do, didn't matter anymore. Lying and hating was Okie Dokie with them. They turned against people they pretended to care about, leaving people like me, not just dealing with the pandemic, but dealing with the loss of trust in everyone.
I still wear a mask shopping because when too many people were not wearing them when there was a mask mandate, now I wonder what kind of germs they're running around with and not bothering to even cover their sneeze or mouth when they cough. Plus, I went for a checkup yesterday and they are still under mask mandates.
I think all of this, caused me to see people in a way I don't like. I mean, not everyone is evil, selfish, despicable, or reprehensible, but there are a lot more than I ever thought there were.
Now that my therapist got me passed grieving for the loss of my friend to COVID, we're working on getting me to want to be around people again. That will be great because it turns out, there are a lot more seniors like me not out there but are wanting to be.
The thing that cracked me up a bit about the article was the woman they interviewed said she filled up her days with reading. I filled them up with writing books. If you have PTSD, there are lessons in this article for you too because part of PTSD is isolation. It's easy to lose trust in others when you have it and hard to gain it back but if you don't try, it will never come back to you. Your therapist can help with that. Last night we went out for dinner and I got to hug some people again!
By Mark Goshgarian
Nov. 28, 2022
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — "Reading. I did read," said Louise Wiggers, 77, of Findley Lake in Chautauqua County.
That's how she dealt with the isolation she felt during the pandemic. She even missed out on seeing her twin grandchildren in person for a year and a half.
"It was very difficult. And they changed a lot during that time, absolutely, they did. Yeah, it was hard. it was very, very difficult," said Louise.
Isolated, but not lonely, she lives with her husband of 55 years, Kent.
"So, we weren't seeing anyone, really. Even our neighbors because of our age and our being at risk," said Louise.
The two spent hours watching their favorite TV shows and movies on BritBox, not knowing day to day just how long they would have to stay cooped up.
"It was frustrating. And you know, I think I would say I was a little bit angry about all of that, too," said Louise.
Chautauqua County Office for the Aging recently hosted a screening at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown of the documentary "All the Lonely People," which chronicles a cross-section of adults sharing their experiences living in isolation.
read more here
Aging in Upstate: Film addresses isolation and loneliness in New York before pandemic hit
SpectrumBy Mark Goshgarian
Nov. 28, 2022
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — "Reading. I did read," said Louise Wiggers, 77, of Findley Lake in Chautauqua County.
"It was very difficult. And they changed a lot during that time, absolutely, they did. Yeah, it was hard. it was very, very difficult," said Louise.
Isolated, but not lonely, she lives with her husband of 55 years, Kent.
"So, we weren't seeing anyone, really. Even our neighbors because of our age and our being at risk," said Louise.
The two spent hours watching their favorite TV shows and movies on BritBox, not knowing day to day just how long they would have to stay cooped up.
"It was frustrating. And you know, I think I would say I was a little bit angry about all of that, too," said Louise.
Chautauqua County Office for the Aging recently hosted a screening at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown of the documentary "All the Lonely People," which chronicles a cross-section of adults sharing their experiences living in isolation.
read more here
Monday, December 25, 2017
So how do we prove God's love and this day?
Do You Prove God's Love?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 25, 2017
One Christmas Eve, an elderly widow was talking to a neighbor about plans for Christmas day. The widow couldn't make it to be with her family and they couldn't get to her. It was the first Christmas she would be alone.
The neighbor talked about having a houseful of family and friends, while complaining about having so much to do for all of them.
The widow wished her a Merry Christmas as she started to walk away. The neighbor had a change of heart and called her back to the fence.
"I was just thinking, we're having dinner around 1:00. Why don't you come over after dessert and you can watch us open our gifts." The widow just shook her head. She walked away feeling more lonely than she had before.
How can we prove God's love without opening a gate?
It is so easy to take care of our own needs, wants, desires and our pride, yet we forget about what this day is supposed to represent.
Tomorrow at work, we'll all hear stories about what we got, what we gave and then which family member ruined the day.
Someone will regret spending so much money on ungrateful relatives. Someone else will regret deciding to spend the time with them instead of being alone binging on treats and watching "It's a Wonderful Life."
Others will remember times spent with people they loved, holding onto warm memories for comfort while they sit alone.
Some will wander the streets, much like any other day, homeless and hungry. They will come to the shelter to get out of the cold for a while, find something to eat, and if they're lucky, someone to talk to.
Some will remember what they used to have and how much they lost.
Others will spend the day thinking of others, what they can do for someone to make this day better than it would have been otherwise.
They spent money shopping for someone else's children, so they could put it into a collection box, knowing they would never see the joy on that child's face. No one would ever thank them for the gift they gave, but they would receive the warmth within them knowing what they did in secret.
Some will volunteer their time at the shelter to care for the homeless and needy.
Some will take the time to pray during church service for someone else instead of praying for what they want for themselves.
So how do we prove God's love and this day we remember when "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
So dear friends, remember the blessing we are all able to receive when the gifts we give ourselves, are priceless when they are given to others.
My Christmas wish for all of you is that you be blessed by the love this day was intended to share.
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 25, 2017
The neighbor talked about having a houseful of family and friends, while complaining about having so much to do for all of them.
The widow wished her a Merry Christmas as she started to walk away. The neighbor had a change of heart and called her back to the fence.
"I was just thinking, we're having dinner around 1:00. Why don't you come over after dessert and you can watch us open our gifts." The widow just shook her head. She walked away feeling more lonely than she had before.
How can we prove God's love without opening a gate?
It is so easy to take care of our own needs, wants, desires and our pride, yet we forget about what this day is supposed to represent.
Tomorrow at work, we'll all hear stories about what we got, what we gave and then which family member ruined the day.
Someone will regret spending so much money on ungrateful relatives. Someone else will regret deciding to spend the time with them instead of being alone binging on treats and watching "It's a Wonderful Life."
Others will remember times spent with people they loved, holding onto warm memories for comfort while they sit alone.
Some will wander the streets, much like any other day, homeless and hungry. They will come to the shelter to get out of the cold for a while, find something to eat, and if they're lucky, someone to talk to.
Some will remember what they used to have and how much they lost.
Others will spend the day thinking of others, what they can do for someone to make this day better than it would have been otherwise.
They spent money shopping for someone else's children, so they could put it into a collection box, knowing they would never see the joy on that child's face. No one would ever thank them for the gift they gave, but they would receive the warmth within them knowing what they did in secret.
Some will volunteer their time at the shelter to care for the homeless and needy.
Some will take the time to pray during church service for someone else instead of praying for what they want for themselves.
So how do we prove God's love and this day we remember when "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The Sheep and the Goats31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
So dear friends, remember the blessing we are all able to receive when the gifts we give ourselves, are priceless when they are given to others.
My Christmas wish for all of you is that you be blessed by the love this day was intended to share.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
WWII Veteran No Longer Feels Forgotten with Thousands of Birthday Cards
WWII veteran gets birthday surprise thanks to viral post
by KATU News
December 24th 2016
This soldier became and internet sensation thanks to a family friend who posted a message online encouraging people to send Hardy a card for his birthday this year. More and more posts were shared on social media and soon thousands of people responded.
read more here
by KATU News
December 24th 2016
"Oh, God there's thousands of cards here," said Hardey. "I would never get them all read."HILLSBORO, Ore. — A WWII veteran, feeling forgotten all these years, got the birthday surprise of a lifetime thanks to the help of an Instagram post that went viral.
Birthdays mean another year, and another couple of cards just from family and friends, but this year, when Jack Hardey turned 99, people around the world celebrated with him.Jack Hardy, 99, receives thousands of letters for his birthday.
This soldier became and internet sensation thanks to a family friend who posted a message online encouraging people to send Hardy a card for his birthday this year. More and more posts were shared on social media and soon thousands of people responded.
read more here
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