Trying to save my M. W not really trying though.

[etrain]

etrain,

You are going through the same thing most of us went through. If I had to guess, you were so focused on your work and your family that you let your own social life and social support network slip.

I know I did.

When the bomb occurs, you suddenly realize that you have no-one to talk to and nothing to do.

Good guess. My W & S were my social life.
I do have friends & family to talk to....but they live just far enough away to make getting together difficult.
I'm an introvert & a very shy person by nature...definitely not the social butterfly I need to be right now. I need a LOT of work in this area if I'm going to stay busy. And there are always going to be those weekday nights when I don't have my S and I'm all alone.
Maybe I need a girlfriend.

I joke but what are the "normal" expections of a S as far as dating goes? Is it a "free pass" for my W to start dating? As if my ego could possibly be crushed any more than it already is.