Hi Ruth, I can't exactly relate to your situation but I am alone 5 days out of the week because my husband has an extensive travel schedule for his job. Because of this, he/we decided the best thing would be for him to get an apartment near the airport because our home is almost 2 hours away, and fighting early morning travel would be so hectic, so yeah. He lives in his apartment and I am in the house in the country. He comes home on the weekends, but I am alone those other 5 days. What helps me is to stay busy. I am involved in Bible study which keeps me connected to other Christian friends, and I also exercise regularly. You say you have back pain....I wonder if maybe water aerobics could help you? My son (not the estranged one, but one of the other ones) is a physical therapist and he frequently urges this. Also, I have pets (poodles). They are a great comfort to me and I never feel alone. I hope I helped.

I am alone because my husband passed to cancer 8 months ago. I live 1.5 hours away from my two sons. I would never expect my children to be my companions and entertainment. It is their time to live their own lives with their friends of the same age. That's what my husband and I did.

My estranged son came back into our lives a few months before my husband passed. He and his family continue to stay in contact and visit me about once a month. My other son visits for a weekend once or twice a month.

I realize I need to cultivate connections with friends my own age. We meet for coffee, do volunteer work, and exercise together 3x a week.

The last thing I ever want to do is depend on my children to take care of me.

We actually felt alone living in the house we had for so long and needed to get out of the snow and ice. So we sold it and moved to a different state and started a whole new life for ourselves. We are so happy to be here and meet new people, get involved in a church in the little city close by. It has a lot of seniors there so we all have a lot in common. Have heard many stories of estrangement and a lot of them realize they need to make a life without adult children and leave the problems they had with them.

I have found that the water exercises work so well too. Makes a person feel revived and are fun too. They take the pressure off the back. I also have back problems so I have to be careful to not over-due it---in the water it seems so easy.

Ruth, Some good ideas for connection with others have been shared. It is important to be with others. I'm sure people would be blessed by you.

We are blessed that you are here with us. Please feel free to share. We care.

Thank you for your comments. So glad I found this site as you can feel so alone when you have a problem with your children not bothering with you. It helps to share.

Welcome Ruth.....we do understand on this site. Everyone is so kind, and appreciates the comfort Our Lord gives us.

I am alone. My marriage fell apart at the beginning of the year, I am estranged from my son and two of my sisters. For the most part, I don't see family, other than my father.

I have worked hard to get myself busy with other things. Most weeks this fills the void, but some weeks it doesn't (like this past weekend). We all find different ways to cope depending on our interests. I like to keep active, so have taken up tennis, playing pool, swimming, horseback riding. We all need to find our own way of coping and finding joy and contentment in our lives. I left the church for a while but will be getting back to regular attendance, and hopefully reconnecting with my Christian friends.

My Dh and myself still have each other, but the conversation comes up between us about one of being left. And we have 2 somewhat Es, nothing is ever done out of love or concern by them. Its a scary thought to be alone and have children but you cant hope they will help you. So my Dh and i are getting things in order for each other,like where all paperwork is and what we would do when this happens. Wow what a conversation lol,no wonder people get depressed. Just found out my older sister has been diagnosed with ALS and is placed in a nursing home in Tennessee.

I am so very sorry, edr1961, about your sister. What a horrible way to die and such a horrible thing for the family to have to watch. So much sorrow, loss, and pain in the world. It just makes me cry for you and I don't even know you! As things get worse in the world, I have to remind myself to look up for our salvation is nigh! To encourage you https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PkrgFwTXiFc

Very sorry to hear about your sister edr. There is a lot of suffering in this sin cursed world. We are constantly reminded that we are not in Heaven yet.

This world is not my home....I'm only passing through. This brings me much joy, peace and comfort.

edr.....so sorry about your sister with ALS. I had a very good friend who got that and it was very sad.

John 16:33----These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world

Such a true message and verse for Christians.

thank you all for your thoughts andprayers i guess none of us know what is in store for us.Sometimes i just wonder so much is happening in my family and wonder if God is angry with me or if i did something wrong i know itsounds silly but that is the way my thoughts are going in my mind right now.Im so tired,i am not happy,i cant wait till night so i can go to sleep and hope not to wake up to go tobathroom cause i start thinking sorry for such a dreary reply

So much of what is going on in the world today and in families are the signs of the times. There is evil all around us in the world, in our Country, and in our families.