My husband and I moved to this new country for his work, and I’ve never been lonelier.  I’m not legally allowed to work and so I try to fill my days with menial tasks and errands, and I might see 1,000 people in the course of the day, but really interact with none.  My husband commutes a fair distance and works long hours on top of that, and of course when he comes home he wants to relax, or sleep, or spend time pursuing solo interests.

I’m not asking for pity, but for a favor:  Please say hi to a stranger when you’re out today.  Talk to someone.  A person can be surrounded by a crowd and still be isolated.  Isolation kills.