Companionship needs an open mind

I’m a woman, 53, who divorced seven years ago. I’d married young, my children are now married.

My husband was my senior high-school sweetheart and remained that same good guy with the same interests until we split.

But I’d grown much more independent, interested in books, music, etc.

Once separated, I moved to the city where my children live, made new friends, and built the life I now love.

I work in a doctors’ clinic, volunteer at a food bank, and sing in a choir.

I take my grandchildren to kid’s activities and special events. I babysit occasionally. My children understand that I need my own social life.

The only thing “missing” is a male companion. I’ve had dates but not met anyone I’d want to see at breakfast.

I know there are many women also leading active and satisfying lives, yet from what I hear, see, and read, a lot still feel “unfulfilled” if they don’t have a man by their side.

I’m happy and fulfilled. I have love in my life through my children and grandchildren.

Sex would be a bonus, but unless it’s with a person who’d bring so much else to my life, I feel it’s not worth the hassles I hear from other women, such as men with difficult adult children, financial differences that cause issues, serial cheaters, etc. Am I really missing anything by not even trying to meet someone who’d be a partner?

– Doubting Dating

It’s a very personal decision, involving what you’re willing to try, what you can handle, and how flexible you can be.

In becoming an independent woman, you’ve been adventurous, taken risks, been positive and optimistic. However, your view of dating is pessimistic, focused on negatives, and risk averse.

It seems you won’t even open the door to a guy friend who’d share some interests, like attending concerts together, or a pal from the choir.

For all your growth, you see relationships through a lens from the past - confining and troublesome.

It’s your choice whether you stick with that view.

As you say, you’re happy as is. Yet you asked the question. Try this: Use your own confidence and security to socialize with men (selectively, of course), to see if having a future partner becomes desirable. If yes, get to know someone very well before making major moves.

A friend has German roots with Nazi family ties.

I don’t believe in punishing others for their ancestors’ sins. However, every Remembrance Day he posts a photo of his

Nazi grandfather wearing his former SS uniform, and the words “Lest We Forget.”

I find this extremely offensive. One of the reasons we must not forget is that the Nazis reigned terror over the world. Shouldn’t we be honouring those who were lost because of the Nazis, not those who survived the war and caused so many lost lives?

Is there a way to address this with him?

– Offended

Be honest, say that you can understand that his grandfather, while serving his country, may’ve had little choice in being part of the Nazi regime.

But the photo’s tasteless and offensive, especially to those who lost someone directly due to the Nazis, estimated up to 20 million civilians and soldiers (50-to-80 million died overall in World War Two.)