Di.. you spoke of feeling 'alone and lonely'...
Long ago, i read these words ..

"In everyone's heart
stirs a great homesickness".

I've always remembered those words, because they descriped that loneliness which seemed to be always deep inside somewhere, which may be the same as your describing. Now i accept the feeling as a treasure, because, i 've come to believe (rightly or wrongly) that it is a faint memory or hidden knowledge of where we each came from ... because so many have seemed to understand it, and how it goes when we're somehow involved with those we care about.

I dont know if that helps or not, but wanted to share it.