On my way to Borneo-Sabah-

This is my country Borneo-Sabah-Malaysia. Mt. Kinabalu.

I will not be able to post in my blog for the next few days. I am on my way home to Borneo. I will try my best to post news in my blog when I can get excess to the internet.

Loneliness - A feeling of Emptiness

Sample of Excerpts

"I think it is more like emptiness (not going to see anyone and no one coming to see me)"

"It is a kind of emptiness; and empty feeling of being alone and abandoned."

"You feel empty, you feel why am I still here?"

"It is just an empty feeling, like nobody love you."

"It is feeling of emptiness, unable to reach out to others."

My children being grown up and gone, contributes to the empty feelings.

"I think, to rid of the emptiness, you really have to go there."

"Emptiness is a void, nothing and a hole."

Doctoral Dissertation, Abas 2008.

Interpretation of Loneliness shared by elderly individuals

Vicky describes, "It (loneliness) is kind of emptiness and empty feeling of being alone."

Josephine expresses, "It is (loneliness) just a feeling of incompleteness to beliving alone."

Alice describes, "Loneliness is similar to getting out of confusion and searching for direction."

...caring and loving...

Today two elderly women were conversing, one of them said, "Your shirt is very beautiful." The other one responded, "Thank you but I don't see it because I am almost blind."

As I was listening to this conversation, I heard another elderly person (third person) said, "What are you all talking?" I couldn't hear well, she concluded.

This incident is very inspiring, these three elderly women appreciated each other.

I observe the existence of caring and loving among them.

the beats go on at the Mother House of Mercy

Today 20 elderly attended the drumming session. It was a very productive afternoon. While drumming they were also singing, "God bless America", "You are my sunshine", "Amazing Grace", and also Salve Regina.

There were ages between 55 to 100 years old.

An 88 year old woman said, "I feel relax and this is my first time to beat the drum."

An 99 year old woman expressed, "I like it, I like it." The session ended with a thanksgiving prayer led by a 100 year old woman.