You don’t need extensive resources or special training. All it takes is a few small steps that anyone can start taking today
Nowadays, it’s possible to speak to anyone in the world in a matter of seconds. Technology has never brought us so close together, and yet there are those who go whole days without anyone asking them how they are, how they’re getting on, or how their week has been. It’s a paradox we see every day, and one that has taught us that offering companionship to those who are lonely has less to do with solutions and more to do with simply being there. Someone who is alone doesn’t usually need someone to sort out their life. They need to know that someone cares about how their day has gone.
The first gesture is the simplest – and the one most often forgotten: calling for no particular reason. Not to ask for anything or to give an update, but simply to ask how you are and to take the time to listen to the answer. A call like that, lasting five minutes, might be the only one a person receives all day.
The second is consistency. A one-off visit brightens up an afternoon, but a visit that takes place every week creates something different: someone who is waiting. For someone who lives alone, knowing that someone is coming on Thursdays changes how she experiences the rest of the week.
The third is to listen without rushing. Many older people aren’t looking for advice; they’re looking for someone to sit beside them, put their mobile down on the table and let them tell their story – once again – the story they’ve already told a thousand times. For us, listening in this way is much more than a kind gesture; it is walking alongside Christ, who remains present in those who suffer.
The fourth is to make the most of technology. A short audio message, a photo that brings back memories, or a video call with the grandchildren. These are by no means a substitute for being there in person, but they help maintain the bond when distance or busy schedules prevent you from seeing each other. The important thing is that the message is sent regularly and that the recipient knows someone has been thinking of them.
The fifth is to look around. Loneliness rarely cries out for help. It lies in the neighbour who no longer comes out onto the street, in the friend who has stopped calling, or in the relative we’ll ‘call when we’ve got time’. Sometimes all it takes is to knock on a door that’s been closed for a while.
As you can see, being there for someone doesn’t require any special training or resources either. It requires something more difficult: time, and a willingness to devote it to someone. There’s no need to wait until everything’s organised; you can start today, with a phone call.
And you, which of these five are you going to put into practice today? Find out more about our charism on our website, angelicas.es