Loneliness & Death!

The inspiration for this blog came from loneliness. For the past three days, I’ve been on my own, with my wife in Vancouver and my son away for work.

My days have been filled with trips to the gym, reading, writing, a bit of light landscaping, and errands like shopping, a dentist visit, and a blood test. But as evening settled in, the weight of solitude began to sink in.

As the sun set in my backyard and squirrels and rabbits scurried to find a safe place to rest, I thought about my daily walks with my wife and son, which I eagerly anticipated.

To pass the time and avoid feeling alone in the house, surrounded by various sounds, I began calling my wife and children.

The next day flew by with a mix of gym, housekeeping, reading, and writing, and before I realized it, bedtime had arrived. I couldn’t shake the memory of my wife and son hugging me and saying goodbye (Khuda Hafiz).

That’s when I felt the urge to revisit and rewrite the piece I had published in the Morning Call newspaper last October—Opinion: Holidays can be a time of joy, but also of loneliness (October 12, 2025).

https://www.mcall.com/2025/10/12/opinion-holidays-can-be-a-time-of-joy-but-also-of-loneliness/

Bored and feeling lonely, I invited a friend I hadn’t seen in ages, thanks to my travels, to join me for breakfast.

We ended up talking for hours. As the sun set over my backyard, I found myself thinking about the loneliness endured by the families of Prophets imprisoned for decades, and the struggles of the two million inmates nationwide, including those in solitary confinement.

I’ve come to appreciate how lucky I am that my solitude is accompanied by comfort and amenities, unlike the children and women in war-torn regions such as Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Kashmir, and parts of impoverished Africa, who face hardship from exploitation, conflict, and extreme income inequality by Zionist Corporation, oligarchy, and Epstein syndicate.

The Power of Human Connection: Confronting the Loneliness Epidemic

Imam Ali (as) says: O Allah You are the most intimate companion of Your friends . . . if loneliness overtakes them, your remembrance delights them, and when calamities befall them, they seek refuge in Your nearness. Whoever moves towards me an inch, I move towards him a foot. And whoever walks towards me, I run towards him

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” Vivek H. Murthy, M.D. Surgeon General, U.S.A.

In a 2024 poll taken by the American Psychiatric Association, one-third of Americans said they felt lonely every week, and 10% said they felt lonely every day.

“If you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.” —Jodi Picoult.

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” —Mother Teresa.

“My loneliness was born when men praised my talkative faults and blamed my silent virtues.” - Khalil Gibran.

Dolly Parton, the beloved Tennessee-born philanthropist, music icon, actor, and cherished figure who touched generations, has passed away at the age of 80.

Many Americans are mourning the loss of the legendary Dolly Parton. Back in my college days, I loved listening to Hindi songs alongside country music by Tammy Wynette (“Stand by Your Man”), Joan Baez (“Pack Up Your Sorrows”), Thomas Rhett & Links (“Down with America,” a satire), and countless hits by Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton truly embodies the spirit of American music. I may not know much about her life or career, but her infectious laughter, zest for life, and incredible talent reflect everything this country is — or hopes to be.

She united Americans with her music and humor, even during the tense divisions of the Trump era. Her songs ranged from soulful country ballads to lively disco hits, featuring iconic tracks like John Travolta and the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” from the legendary “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack.

What I admired most about Dolly Parton was her empathy, a quality overlooked by Elon Musk and Donald Trump. She spoke out against Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a task force created by President Trump and headed by Musk — describing it as a “chainsaw massacre” of America”.

She also remarked that “the current administration and its co-conspirators are a vile bunch of little creatures.”

She understood the struggles of those living in poverty and had deep compassion for women held back by patriarchy, as reflected in songs like “Down from Dover” and “Daddy Come Get Me.” She also celebrated working women in “Nine to Five.” Beyond her music, she was known for her generosity, with her Imagination Library donating over a million books to babies and young children.

I end with, “From Him we come and to Him we return,” as a reminder that each day brings us closer to our final journey.

Don’t miss my piece in the Morning Call Newspaper on Thursday, Aug 27, covering the Lehigh County Commissioners. The Commissioners meeting is tomorrow, Aug 26—details for registering via Zoom to speak or attending in person are below.

Last call to action: Walk the Talk and join us for the Commissioners meeting tomorrow!

https://mail2.rcn.com/public/pdfjs/web/viewer.jsp?file=https%3A%2F%2Fmail2.rcn.com%2Fservice%2Fhome%2F~%2F%3Fauth%3Dco%26loc%3Den_US%26id%3D556352%26part%3D2