Maria- I have abysmal friend-making skills as a very shy introvert with chronic illness related physical limitations - the latter making matters much more difficult. So I read your lovely piece about the strong and thoughtful and brilliant Six Women with hope and happiness. What a heartbreaking finish!! I’ve had this experience with close girlfriends so many times, I’m now fearful of a new female friend. I’m most at ease with male friends. Lack of secrecy, drama (mostly), etc. However, I’ve been divorced for almost 20 years. And. In my early 50s, I find most folks are married (or incredibly eager to re-marry); it’s very difficult if not impossible to find men who are “allowed” to socialize with unmarried women. And, even more rare to find a social couple, since I now live in a small, extremely traditional county. I feel terrible for my preference! So I must genuinely declare that I embrace all women as a feminist…I’m always the one shocked by the 180 turn and sudden darkness. So I think this issue is my fault somehow. I’ve never been so lonely for friends in my life. I wish she’d continue this piece into a 2-3 part feature. So many people are experiencing this problem after two years of quarantine and social distancing! I need more ideas. Concrete, simple approaches to finding friends later in life, including techniques for the very shy. Your wrenching story is very close to home. And I feel heartbroken after reading it. As my late and very dear friend Martin used to say, ‘never, ever give up your “deep-heart” friends. Nothing is important enough to voluntarily end the connection with the very rare deep-heart mate.‘ I was just past my mid-thirties while he was 65. *Of course* I didn’t pay proper attention. They’re the Sun, the moon, the wind, and the dark sweet earth. Life is far different and almost undeservedly beautiful when you have such good people to join in navigating life’s pain, joy, loss, and laughter. I hope so much that all six of you will find your way back to each other!!💕🤗

@@Julia-dr6kv , First, You would make a wonderful caring empathetic friend. These women, I was sooooo hurt. Then after being snubbed, I got angry. Now I’m done. I would never have treated anyone like they all treated me. I have no idea what happened, except… when it first happened, I did ask what did I do to facilitate such ire? Apparently, they all still have “ game night”. The talk there was “ Well, Maria does have some redeeming qualities” so, it’s ended. Their loss. No, No , and No. F them. I’d actually type the word, but… well you know, rules. It was not political. We all were on same page. I’m an artist. Well I paint. So I’ve thrown myself and my little house into the production of art. I have 2 Havanese doggies, I live in Florida, I have a wonderful, secluded, walled in yard, I love. I stay home mostly. I never got sick, so I order what I need online to stay that way. I’m a generation older than you. I just eked into my 70’s. But I don’t feel/think this old. I was a teen in 60’s, I’m a real libber. Thank you for the reply. I appreciate the chat. Make this day a really good one. M

I thought the very same when I listened to this one-so, honestly, me too!