Oh, yes, women! Who the heck can understand them?
I read that women who leave an abusive relationship are most likely to end up in another one! Weird, but true! So, Old Flame, it isn't you that has the problem but your choice in women (but, I know, it's difficult to know what they're thinking because we can only go off their external behaviour at the time).
I've been married almost 28 years and I can still feel hurt. The hurt is never intentional, but I can be hurt non-the-less - but it cuts both ways.
I'll tell you what I told my children: don't go looking for love but just go out to enjoy life and then, when you least expect it, WHAM!, love will hit you right between the eyes. I don't know your situation, but one can try too hard.
Everything you say about yourself is desirable; those are wonderful qualities you possess, qualities the right woman would die for.
You may feel that age is against you and so you'll try all the harder. DON'T! Just relax, go about your business, be kind to all and, I'm telling you, WHAM!
Remember that - and don't forget to invite me to the wedding when you realise I was right.
Manly hugs, OF.
Ian