I can now successfully bear lonliness.  It's not sad, nor do I need to be pitied.  I am lonely, but this solitude is strengthening.  I am not so lonely as you may think.  I am alone, yes.  I am apart from the rest, yes.  But lonely?  No, being alone is not as lonely as it might have seemed.

There's the Trinity in the mix.  And there's Sophie.  And there are friends in Georgia, and the Carolinas, and other little pockets around the country, and around the world, even, and yes, while I don't have any bosom buddies or besties here in NYC, I at least have some friendships and acquaintances.