Alone vs Lonely

Alone and lonely, how do you make a distinction between them?? i am going to relate a story to differentiate both the term. to a few special people whom i have shared this story with, well u are blessed.. hahaha.. anyway, i read this story from The Star, just to make it clear it is not me who came up with it.

There is this grandfather, who has lost his beloved spouse. so the grandson, seeing that his grandfather might be lonely, said to his dad "dad, i would want to spend my holiday with grandpa this time."

so there he goes to his grandfather's house during the holidays.. he is quite eager to spend time with his grandfather.. the next morning, he got up and went jogging with his grandpa.. after jogging, they ate, and did some gardening..

and everyday, they did the same routine until the grandson was a bit bored of the same routine day after day. one day, the grandson asked his grandpa

"aren't you lonely?, i mean grandma is not here anymore... and if i weren't here, you are all alone.."
and the grandpa replied

"although i am alone, i don't feel lonely... i still feel your grandma's presence.. always in this house, always beside me, accompanying me.."

then the grandson pondered on what his grandfather had said and he realizes that sometimes, eventhough he is in the midst of a crowd, he still feels empty inside.. but his grandpa, eventhough he is alone, he is not lonely..

so now u know what is the difference between being alone and feeling lonely??

May God bless all of you..