Thanks all for your comments, and thanks especially to you who expressed extra kindness this time, especially Valixy. I hear you all and know what you are saying.
... and please remember: I never looked for, desired, or actively sought out such a young woman, and certainly never expected it to happen. At this point I was just prepared to have to spend the rest of my life alone, hopefully finding a good life in doing rather than loving. I have no family left and lost some friends over this as they thought I was giving too much and/or being used by my girlfriend, and of course they were sort of right, but at least I -- and she, I believe -- got more out of it than we expected, aybe too much on my part... I don't know.