Dear Readers >> On Sept. 23, I published two letters from older adults experiencing loneliness (“Still Grieving” and “Wants a Connection”). I asked those of you who have successfully found connection at a later stage in life to write in.

And write in you did! I received so many wonderful letters, full of anecdotes and suggestions, that I’m splitting them into two columns. Some today and some Nov. 9. Hopefully, these will inspire new connections at any stage of life.

Dear Eric >> I left a marriage of 35 years, retired and moved to a new town. For one year I went to every fundraiser hosted by the area’s nonprofit to determine “who are my people?” At the fundraiser for our local music venue, I entered the Photo Booth to have my picture taken. To my surprise, the photographer, also recently divorced and new in town, was taken by my smile. It’s been eight years of happy times, getting to discover the area together.

— Unexpected Profit

Dear Unexpected >> “Who are my people?” is such an important question! Love this way of finding them.

Dear Eric >> “Still Grieving” stated that he was a secular humanist, so church was off the table. Not so at all! The Unitarian Universalist church has no theology, requires no belief in anything, supports each member on whatever spiritual path they happen to be on (or not on). No Bible readings, hymns about love and support and nature but not God. There are atheists, Buddhists, humanists, agnostics, earth-based spiritualists, people just looking for community.

— UU Community

Dear UU >> Good point. Many Unitarians reached out to me.

Dear Eric >> One month after my dear dog died, I felt I urgently needed another dog. One day, after adopting my new dog, I was on a website for cities and neighborhoods to post events. The first post I saw was “Looking for a puppy for my puppy to play with.” In short, the woman had the same breed of dog, which was a month older than mine, and lived walking distance from my house. All four of us have been best friends ever since. I am certain that my dog and my friend were heaven sent.

— Dog Delight

Dear Delight >> Pets can provide wonderful companionship, as well as connect us to others.

Dear Eric >> In our 70s, my husband and I moved into an independent living apartment in a 400-person Continuing Care Retirement Community with lecture series, musical programs, and a multitude of activities from climate advocacy to painting to exercise classes to poker.

— Aging Well

Dear Aging Well >> Many wrote about the numerous benefits of their retirement community, as well as organizations like the Village Movement for older adults living alone.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com.