Loneliness can be depressing, but all you have to do is reach out!
75-year-old Tony Williams from Alton, New Hampshire in the United Kingdom lost his soulmate and wife Jo to pancreatic cancer in May this year suddenly. He had known her for over 35 years and after this insurmountable loss, he felt a deep sense of loneliness. Not having any children, the retired physicist admitted that he would go days without speaking to anyone. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdowns exacerbated his situation.
To get rid of the feeling of seclusion, Williams put up multiple advertisements in local newspapers in a bid to find new friends to chat with. He also gave away his contact details at the local supermarket. But none of these plans worked.
As a last resort, he put up a poster on his window asking for friends. On the poster, he wrote,
“I have lost Jo
My lovely wife and soulmate
I have no friends or family
No one to talk to
I find the unremitting silence 24 hours a day unbearable torture
Can no one help me?”
His story was picked up media outlets across the world, and the response to his plea was overwhelming.
He has been inundated with calls and emails ever since! People from across countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Spain, India, and Iceland have reached out, offering to have a chat with him.
“It’s not just the quantity – in fact it’s bust my email system, I can’t use it now – but it’s also the quality.
“The sincerity, the empathy that I have had from all over the world.
“These people really feel my loneliness as their own grief and sometimes I’ve been reduced to tears,” Williams said.
His plea clearly struck a chord with many people all over, so much so that a teacher from a school asked Williams whether her students could write letters to him. He has also had delightful emails of people sending him pictures of their pets and their families. Would you believe that strangers have also offered for their children to adopt him as their grandfather?
Obviously, Williams is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love that has come his way.
“I’ve just been completely overwhelmed and am so thankful for it all,” he said.
When asked what he would recommend to other pensioners that are battling loneliness, he said: “My advice is to do what I’ve done.
“Not in necessarily in the same way – but you have somehow go out and meet people.”
“I hope the message goes out that you can find a way out of loneliness.”
And we can’t agree more. All of us can fight our way out of isolation and loneliness – all you have to do is reach out to others, and you will find many willing to help!
Isn’t this just an amazing story that makes your day? Let us know what you think of Williams’ effort in the comments section below.
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