I live in a senior residence in Las Vegas. Days can become extremely boring when one has retired, leaving them with a lot of spare time and a sense of loneliness. We need to communicate with others, and I appear to have found a location in this place where I am able to meet some very interesting people with whom to speak.

Naturally, the concept of doing the wash doesn't sound very exciting. However, it has been in the laundry room where I've found other women with whom I can talk, and who oddly enough have provided me with what is missing as I sit alone at my desk looking at the in box of my computer, wishing that someone had written, thus potentially filling the emptiness that often haunts me.

When I take a stroll in the halls after dinner, I tend to look longingly at that room where people go to wash their clothes, and where I've discovered that what ails me much of the time is the need to talk to someone I may have never met before.

Advice has been given me that I should join reading groups, or senior centers where there are other people like myself who need to spend time with others. I've been told that they play cards, Bingo and other games, eat lunch and thus have the opportunity I need. What keeps me away from such places is that inside of this old lady's body is still another person. She likes to talk to people, but also wants to be free to close the conversation at her convenience and even sit down, as I am doing at this moment, and share my thoughts with others.

When I was teaching, my students were people who weren't constant reminders of this aging old person I have become. We were part of an experience where we all had something to learn from one another. It was the learning that inspired me to continue teaching long after many of my contemporaries had looked at retirement as their goal.

Whenever someone shares that they are longing to retire, I suggest that they not rush into it. The concept of retirement can be an illusion which leaves people in much the same boat where I am now sitting. People see themselves enjoying those things which they now only do on vacation. The irony of this is that what is so wonderful is that vacations represent a change from the every day.

Something I need to remember is that tomorrow I offered to stuff envelopes at the nearby classical music station. What makes that appealing is that perhaps in doing so I may meet someone new to talk to. Several years ago I met a woman doing just that: stuffing envelopes. Our friendship has changed my life.

Don't ignore the person standing behind you at the supermarket, or doing clothes in the same laundry room. They may help wash away the loneliness you feel.