Thank you all so much for your responses and for sharing your experiences and giving advice.

I'd like to think it is never too late Ciderguy,so I hope you will try and meet new people,hurt can heal you know and then there will be room for love anew.

Laurabeth I think you are right, trying to live in the here and now is the way to conquer fear of death,they say those who truly live have no fear of death!

Be the real you, the genuine person inside ,is the way to defeat shyness.

Thank you OmegaLamed ,I will do what I must.

Ciderguy, if there is no one to stand by your side for now ,imagine your best friend from the past is right beside you and try to make the moves to introduce new people in your life and I promise to do the same.

Love and hugs to you all!Marylin