Barbara Frum District Blog

I wanted to blog this week about relationships. I’m not going to offer relationship advice but I will say that working with older adults has opened my eyes to the deep significance of meaningful relationships.  However, is it true that everyone in the world needs a close human companion? I can hear a member of the Nifty Frum Friends group yelling at me in amazement that I would even ask such a question. He always tells me that he loves to be around people so much that it keeps him alive.

Does this sound at all familiar to Mary Shelly’s classic novel, Frankenstein? Oh yes, the exaggerated beast that was engineered so differently that he died from bitter lonesome. This classic novel of course was written well-before the blast of extreme diversity and today in our age, it’s unclear whether we all need that deeper interaction to survive.

At any rate, there are many people who continue to look for meaningful relationships in their lives.  Interestingly enough, the search for a significant other, whether a friend or lover, is not just an adult thing. In my experience with older adults, the need for companionship and intimacy is even more important.  

I do believe it's time for relationship seekers to read beyond the daily horscope and use some resources available at the library to make it happen.  Below are resource recommendations for older adults that want to build a significant relationship but need some help getting there.

By the way, Elaine Ruth Mitchell, will be available to share her deep knowledge about dating in the latter stages of her life.  Bring your questions, enjoy an afternoon of conversations and meet new people.  Further program details are available here.