(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . KosAbility Open Thread: [1] ['Steven Park', 'Peter Olandt', 'Winter Rabbit', 'Chitown Kev'] Date: 2026-07-26 Welcome to the KosAbility Open Thread this evening! Hope you are well. Me, I’m doing ok this year, not great, but things could always be so much worse. As some you know, I’m coming off a dating relationship that lasted one and a half years. I thought I had found a life-long partner until this last spring. I guess that I got to allow myself to grieve over the loss if I want to come to terms and move on. I’ll keep the story short. I met her in high school and we hung around the same group of friends. She was friends of my wife before I was introduced to Charlene. She married my roommate. We were a group of four that stayed, more or less, in touch through these many years. Her husband died about eight years ago. She helped celebrate Charlene’s and my wedding vows ceremony in the spring before my wife’s death due to ALS. She and I agreed to stay in touch after Charlie’s passing by going out to lunch or dinner once every 4 to 6 weeks. This went on for just under two years, when I thought to invite her to Thanksgiving small gathering dinner with my mother and daughter, expecting her to say, “No” because she had family in the area, but she pleasantly surprised me with a “Yes.” Journal Entry: After dinner, as everybody was leaving, she agreed to stay. Anyway, we talked about our friendship. And she agreed to start seeing each other more often, but wasn’t looking to get into a relationship, yet. I’m ok with that. She, too, misses having someone close in her life. I think this is more important, that the fact I’m looking forward to the endless possibilities that is right before me instead of looking back at the immense loss of Charlie. I have moved to a new chapter in my life. After talking about our getting closer/ possible relationship, I took the ring and put it in its case and placed the ring in the hutch alongside my precious keepsakes. I’m starting to let go…. I find peace that I haven’t found in a long time. And at the same time, excitement about the future. [/End of Journal Entry] We started dating slowly at first. I started to attend a small church with her. She lived one hour away, but we found a way to make the relationship work. Then the relationship progressed to spending weekends together, we were in daily contact, spending sometimes up to four hours on the phone. I joined the church and was planning on moving to be near her. We spent vacations together, visiting The Grand Cayon and Petrified Forest in Arizona, Albuquerque and Santa Fe in New Mexico plus one weekend in Chicago in the fall. I was in heaven! She has some health issues, depression and COPD, but they were manageable. Then, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which wasn’t a surprise because of the symptoms. She is still dealing with the conflicts of the medications to treat both depression and Parkinson’s disease. But the fourth diagnosis of neuropathy affecting her control of her arms and feet is what ended the relationship. Shit… I was more than willing to keep her living independently as possible at her house, but she said no. she wasn’t willing to put me through that again–not after I had to deal with Charlie’s ALS. I wanted to. Shit…. She and I still talk or text. She gave up driving because she doesn’t feel safe behind the wheel. She falls quite often—she’s healing from two breaks in her foot right now. She is still trying to work full time, but she is considering retirement. I took her to church this month, mainly for me to say some goodbyes to the people in her church. I don’t like the choices that she’s made but they are hers to make. I got to respect that. Shit…. Now, today I’m attending the same denomination that’s local. The church has very progressive democratic values and also allows me to hold an agnostic/atheist view. The church also has an “Over 40 Singles Group.” The group has interesting people. Dating at 66 years of age is hard. Thanks for reading this post. What’s happening in your life? KosAbility Is By And For People living with disabilities; Who love someone with a disability; or Who want to know more about the issues. Our discussions are open threads in the context of this community. Feel free to Comment on the diary topic; Ask questions of the diarist or generally to everyone; Share something you’ve learned; or Gripe about your situation. Our only rule is to be kind. Bullies will be ignored and/or obliterated. For more elaboration on our group rule please read this story. At KosAbility we amicably discuss any and all matters pertaining to health. Our posts and discussions are not to be taken as medical advice. 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