I Miss People

I have a new-to-me working computer, and now can resume writing gopher posts.
My idea of "unpopular opinions" as topic didn't quite crack the shell and
emerge fully-formed. My opinions aren't as much unpopular as they are worth
secreting from the hypersensitive howler monkeys on Mastodon using the "report"
function to punish people who disagree with them. 

But I miss people. This month I am looking to expand my social circle and open
my two-lane channel of love. Here is where I share an interesting anecdote,
an experience from May 5.

I had a headache on a rainy day. I took acetaminophen for it. (That was not
the interesting part.) When the pain subsided, I drove to the metaphysical
shop to collect some manifestation items for two big requests I have from 
the universe. A large woman (my height, that is what I mean by large, no
sizist derision here) with funky glasses and a warm smile asked if I need
help. I said yes, as the shop was crowded. I don't enter shops much anymore,
and was not used to seeing more than a dozen shoppers in a small space. If 
I could get what I needed and hasten to the cashier, that'd be swell. 

I was looking for malachite for use in some wish-fulfillment ritual (I need
not have bothered, a piece of jade in my possession became visible when I
came home), the woman guided me to blue agate instead. I was skeptical: I 
am not a believer in crystals and gem stones, although I have five. She 
said she was an energy healer, and this blue agate has properties to aid 
"emotional healing." My energy otherwise was pretty good.

She held my elbow, she patted my forearm, she stroked my upper arm. I felt
good and happy being in the shop and having someone help me with my items. 
I bought the blue agate and my manifestation whims, and left.

When I got home I opened my mail, found a Mother's Day card from a friend
who lives a few km away from me, started sporadic weeping. The last time
I wept sporadically was six weeks after my husband died, on his birthday. 

My best friend had his birthday May 5, but with my headache, and the rain, 
and no big dinner plans, I sensed my weepiness had nothing to do with not
being with my friend. It occurred to me my weeping jag is because it had 
been close to two years since someone touched me affectionately, and that 
gap was the reason for my weeping jags.  A woman would gently touch me 
within five minutes of making my acquaintance, and my male friend of
thirty-two years has NOT ONCE TOUCHED ME SINCE MY HUSBAND DIED. 

I haven't seen many opportunities to meet new people recently. I'll have to look
at the events calendar of local papers. I need to see smiles on people so I know
they are friendly. I smile at people to let them know I am approachable. Meeting
people outdoors is my best bet, but not in crowds. I must brainstorm, I am also
crowd-sourcing. I'll try selling my husband's belongings, then I can see maybe
people with shared interests.