Blue Slipper Stories
Widows’ Guild Newsletter ̵ February 2020
Widows are especially vulnerable to feelings of isolation after they lose their life partner, and making new connections later in life may require a little extra effort. A few ways to build a social circle and to find people who share common interests include volunteering in your community, joining a gym or taking a class. For Masonic widows, you can add the Widows’ Guild to that list.
MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS THROUGH THE MASONIC WIDOWS’ GUILD By Linda M. Jackson, Relations Administrator
Did you know that friends can strengthen your immune system, help you recover more quickly from an illness, sharpen your memory or even help you live longer? I recently read an article entitled “The Importance of Friends as You Age.” The article pointed out that social connections improve both physical and mental health, and one study famously concluded that loneliness and lack of social connections can be as detrimental to one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. According to similar studies, people with strong social connections to friends and family have a 50% greater chance of outliving those with fewer social ties. Research consistently shows that friend relationships are as important as family ties in predicting psychological well-being in adulthood and old age.
In addition to informing widows about the programs and services available to them, the Guild provides an opportunity for widows to meet at Guild events and forge new friendships through their special common bond. Because we recognize the importance of social connections, we are currently collecting contact information from widows who would like to be included in the Widows’ Guild Directory, which will be updated and distributed later this year. Throughout the year, we host Widows’ Guild events to welcome new members and provide an opportunity for existing members to fellowship while getting to know new members. It is not uncommon for ladies to reconnect with old friends with whom they have lost touch, which makes these events even more meaningful. It is our hope that from these gatherings, leaders will emerge and local groups will form, building new social connections for widows. So, the next time you receive an invitation to a Widows’ Guild event, think about making a new friend and improving your health. If you would like more information about receiving your Blue Slipper pin and joining the Guild, or if you would like to add your contact information to the directory, please give me a call at 1-800-599-6454.