Woe to him who is alone when he falls.

 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up." Eccl.4:9-10

I read this in my devotions this morning and it spoke to me and what I have gone through in my life. Kathy and I felt all alone living in Prescott Valley. We had friends and we had our church, but we spent a lot of holidays, and all of our birthdays, with just the two of us. Christmas as an older couple is almost not worth celebrating. I even called my mother once to ask her what they did for Christmas all by themselves. 

When Kathy died, the crushing weight of loneliness almost did me in. My family was far away. My friends forsook me. I was left to deal with the fallout of the death of my wife all alone. Indeed, as the text says, woe to him who is alone when he falls.

The decision to leave where I was and to move where I am was hard at first. But looking back, I am sure that it was the best decision that I could have made. I still live alone. But I have family and friends here, unlike anything that I had in Prescott.

Two alone is only slightly better than one alone. Thank God, He does not leave us or forsake us in our times of great need.

"And the Lord, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you; do not fear or be dismayed." Deut.31:8