We talked for hours. She shared her worries; I admitted how frightening retirement had been. By the time I stood to leave, I no longer felt abandoned. I felt understood.
I still visit the café, though she no longer works there. Sometimes we meet for tea; sometimes time passes between visits. What stayed with me was the lesson: loneliness doesn’t fade by forcing roles onto others. It fades when we let connections be honest and real. I didn’t find a daughter—but I found proof that meaningful connection can still grow, even late in life.
