Long Read: Loss of Incidental Connections

By Susan Strongman: Retired and living alone in Hamilton, Mum ticks a lot of the boxes that put her at risk of loneliness.This is The Detail's Long Read - one in-depth story read by us every weekend. "The large group of old friends she used to see so often - the ones in the photos on the fridge - she sees less of now. Without an income, she can't make the journey out of town to visit, can't afford to split the bill at lunches or trips out to dinner."This week, it's 'Loss of Incidental Connections', an essay from Reconnecting Aotearoa: Loneliness and Connection in the Age of Social Distance, a new Bridget Williams Books text edited by Kathy Errington and Holly Walker.Combining first-person accounts with research and evidence, Reconnecting Aotearoa brings together a set of writers to explore the importance of nurturing emotional and societal connections in Aotearoa, set against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.​Writer Susan Strongman joins Alexia Russell to discuss the work and read her personal essay herself.I call it clutter, dusty and chaotic. But almost everything in the house holds meaning for Mum, and I suspect these objects evoke fond memories for her, helping to fend off the loneliness that can creep into her life.Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here. You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details