I’m back in Whistler this week (my annual timeshare trek) and once again asking for a Table for One.
For many years I’ve enjoyed my alone time up here—time to look within—but for god’s sake, there’s just not that much more ‘within’ that I want (or need) to see. After eight years alone, I know myself pretty well and I have to say I’m a little tired of silent introspection, but I guess that is better than talking to myself—I swear I’m not there yet!
Since 2010, Whistler has been my quiet place, a place to watch the sun dance on Fitzsimmons Creek as it rushes between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains; a place to sit on a bench in the middle of the crowded village and observe human nature; a place to wander the trail to Lost Lake wondering if I might encounter a bear; and, of course for me, a place to travel the green path of the golf course in search of a ‘birdie’.
After all these years, I still enjoy all of those quiet pursuits, but this year the silence has been deafening. I’m ready to rock and roll, damn it! I want someone to share my table, skip down the village path with me, travel up the mountain in search of bears and as night falls, dance under the stars.
I’ve got to say, I have a pretty nice life—lots of friends to share my various interests from golf, to writing, to casino runs, to baseball games. And, I often have family or friends at my table—rarely a table for one when I’m home. But, I’m not home. I’m two hundred miles away, wishing my someone (that special guy who has yet to sweep me off my feet) would knock on my condo door and ask me if the glass slipper fits.
I know, I know. I’m not supposed to show my vulnerability on social media—I’m supposed to post stories to make everyone envy my life and make you wonder why yours isn’t as perfect. Social media is a snapshot of our lives where we try to show our best side, our accomplishments, our humor and our superior intelligence. But, there are times when it might be helpful to speak our truth, to open our hearts and spill our guts. To those of you with perfect ‘Facebook’ lives, I’m happy for you (and a little envious). For the rest of us, let’s enjoy those rare moments of greatness before the inevitable shit hits the fan.
My wish for everyone reading this is that you find your soulmate or, if you’ve already made that connection, appreciate the one you have—or had.
And, if you are my soulmate or you know where I might find him, give me a call. I don’t want to spend another year in Whistler at a Table for One.
P.S. This is a sequel to a blog I wrote in 2015: Table for One https://jmaydaze.com/2015/09/07/table-for-one/
I am in the exact same place in my life and in the same frame of mind so I appreciate your honesty. Planning my adventures as I head into retirement would be more fun with the right friend/companion. Maybe if I go ahead and plan I’ll connect with someone along the way???? I’ll keep my eyes open for both of us!
But, never settle for less than awesome!
Hi Jacquie. I saw your post on Mark’s email and followed your link. About a year and a half ago, I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderful man – “the one”! After a lifetime of dating essentially the same guy over and over, with essentially the same (poor) results, I decided I was going to try dating men who were not my “type”. Oh, there were some definite disasters, but then I met Bruce. On paper, we don’t look like a very good match (very different interests, for example), but we share the same values, and our differences (once we learned to understand each other) have ultimately created a lot of fun, interest and excitement for both of us. We are both in our fifties, and are trying and learning new things and having a great time. So my advice to you is this: if whatever you are doing isn’t working, try something totally different. The worst case scenario – you will have some good stories to tell your friends. But with a little luck and perseverance, you might just find “the one” where you least expect it.
Good luck! – Dee Ann
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope I find “the one”. So happy to hear about your happy ending. ❤️