Baby boomers are killing themselves at an alarming rate, raising question: Why?

[DesertFlower]

105. i'm almost 72 -- a bit older than a boomer

but i consider myself one. i'm financially secure but i have health problems, i.e., CFS/ME, IBS, scoliosis, herniated discs, osteo arthritis. i feel sick most of the time. every year i seem to be able to do less. last year my husband of almost 42 years died from a brain tumor. he was my soul mate and took really good care of me.

i find it hard to go on living. i don't see any future for myself. i'm seeing a therapist. i told her when monkey (my cat) dies i'm going to will myself to die.

i only have 2 friends here -- one is agoraphobic -- so i don't see her. my other friends are back in new york. my step daughter is in atlanta. my granddaughter is in west palm beach. i did have some friends here but they got sick too. hard to make friends when you feel sick. i don't even know many of my neighbors. i am in a remote area.

my husband always used to tell me that my health would improve, but it hasn't. it's been steadily going downhill since '05.

i used to be an active, outgoing person. now i only go out when i have to. most times i lie in bed watching tv.

people have suggested that i move closer to family, but phoenix is my home -- has been for almost 24 years. i live in a house that hubby and i built together.

hubby and i realized the american dream. he worked for IBM for almost 43 years (until he got sick). the money was good and so were the benefits.

when i lived in new york there was an elderly couple who lived in my building. they were retired and used to walk around holding hands. then she died. i remember him saying to me in his yiddish accent "if you dun't gut your health, you gut nothin". i always remembered those words but they mean more to me now.