Why a tiger? To be quite honest, I did not have a photo of a panther, but eventually that will do just as well, so why a panther?
I am 73 years old and spent the first 20 of these years in London, England. This means that my growing up time, surrounded by familiar faces, places I knew well, were a long time ago. I have now been living 53 years in Switzerland and have no more connections to my past life. Of course I have built up a circle of acquaintances in Switzerland, from my workplace, from the town where I live and of course through connections from Mr. Swiss, my partner in crime. My kids are no longer kids and lead their own lives. I even have one and a half grandchildren (one on the way) and now it is I me and myself. Although not quite alone, as I have my Mr. Swiss, but we are both golden oldies and apart from an exciting excursion to the supermarket or a visit from my son or the arrival of the cleaning lady, everything stays the same.
I decided I need a change in this life and so I began to look around for a senior citizens group, an old people clan. However, I do not want to be confronted with colleagues whose main topics would be their health and recycling problems. I need some intellectual support, encouragement, interesting discussions. We have a group, founded some years ago, called the Grey Panthers. They are golden oldies with a little more to offer than complaints. Before I became a golden oldie, I always said that would be my thing when I need more contact when older, and now I have arrived at the point where I should do something.
As it is modern active group, who also make excursions and visits to interesting places, I decided to have a look what Internet says, and I found our local group. They also have an english course (which I would not need) and a group for improving French (might be an idea). How surprised was I to find that there are many familiar names there. In July and August they are closed for holiday time, but in September they will be available again and it is my intention to put out some feelers to join. I naturally spoke to Mr. Swiss about my idea and even he would be interested. So let’s do it, or at least try. It might be an eventual improvement to my life which is becoming more and more isolated and that is what worries me. One day I might really be alone and I need contact with other people.
At the moment my social life is based on blogging. Of course you are all lovely people and I would really be alone without you all, but I must do something more. Perhaps I will no longer be here so much, who knows, but I am sure I can spare an hour or two during the weeks for something completely different.
