Aside from specific details of place and circumstances, you could be describing my life. I moved to a rural area from Detroit, where I was established and connected to networks of queer friends. I moved up here to take care of my dad in his last years, so he wouldn't have to end up in an institution.

It was the best decision I ever made and the worst.

I can't complain. Too much. I can pay the bills without heartburn. Cost of living out here is so low it astonishes some people.

But since I moved almost 7 years ago, my own health has taken a turn, so moving back to Detroit (or any city) is a step I no longer feel capable of taking.

Your story is a crystalized illustration of a common phenomenon among queer elders. Data shows that we are disproportionately likely to experience isolation and loneliness. But data doesn't tell the story as powerfully as you just did.

Thanks for having the courage and vulnerability to share it.