Three or four friends, all single and seniors, were chatting as we said good night after a program. Helen B. joined us to ask what we were talking about. Someone said, “About what it’s like to become single after a long marriage ends.” Helen listened, commented, and left us.

“Becoming single? It’s a relief to me to be past the man-woman thing. I mean I’m happier without it or even having to think about it. For us sex never was a big deal anyway.”

And off she went.