Murray Harbour gospel ceilidh tonight
I’m dating my grammar school and high school sweetheart, “Gary.” We’ve known each other since I was six. (I’m 33 now.)
In high school we dated for nine months and were in love, but he told lies to my dad, so Dad ordered him to stay away. Now, 16 years later, after being only friends all this time, we finally both became single and got back together.
Gary is and always has been the love of my life, as I am his. He would do anything for me. He says he wants to marry me and have kids, and he’s never said that to any other woman.
Since we broke up at 16, Gary has done some bad things (drugs, prison). Because of it, my dad hates him. Dad was finally getting used to Gary being back in my life until a few months ago, when Gary crashed my car after relapsing. Gary is getting me a new car and trying to get my dad to like him, but Dad is stubborn. I know he’s just worried about me.
I want to bring Gary to my parents’ to visit because enough time has gone by since the accident. Is there any way to get my dad used to him? — TORN IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR TORN: I think the chances of your father “getting used” to his beloved daughter being married to a convicted felon and drug user who can’t quite kick the habit are somewhere between a snowflake and hell. Gary may have been the love of your life since childhood, but if you plan to marry him, it’s important you get a glimpse of what you may be in for.
There are self-help groups for the friends and family of addicts. Join one of them. (Visit Nar-Anon. org to find the nearest meeting.) If you do, you will meet other individuals who are involved with people who have a drug addiction and learn about the challenges that will face both of you.
A long-time friend of mine, “Jenny,” and I reunited after years of not speaking. Our pregnancies brought us back together, and since the births of our children we have had playdates, shared baby stories, advice, etc.
My problem is, Jenny tries to pass down stained, out-of-season clothes from her child to mine. (She gets free handouts from organizations that help moms and families who aren’t financially well off.) She and her child’s father drive brand-new cars with hefty car payments and they are paying a big mortgage — all the while collecting assistance.
It bothers me because, while we struggle, my family doesn’t use assistance. We feel it should be used only for those who really need it. Am I silly for letting something like this get to me? I find myself making excuses to cancel playdates and avoid her. — MAKING MY OWN WAY IN VIRGINIA
DEAR MAKING: Your problem isn’t the baby clothes. It’s that you disapprove of Jenny’s values. While you have some things in common, you also have major differences. Among them, your choice to work for what you get and her willingness to game the system. That’s a big difference, and you’re not being silly.
The next edition of the gospel geilidh is Friday, Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Murray Harbour Community Centre.
Entertainment lineup includes Mel Giddings, Wayne MacLeod, Marion Bruce, Jamie MacKay, Tom Clark, Linda Stewart and Louis Penny. Louis MacKay will be the emcee. The centre is wheelchair accessible and air-conditioned. Lunch will be served.
Come to the gospel geilidh at the Murray Harbour Community Center on Friday August 17th, 2018 starting at 7:30.
Come and enjoy an evening full of Gospel music with Mel Giddings singing old gospel selections.
Wayne MacLeon on guitar will be with us.
Louis MacKay will be emcee for the evening and sing and play for us as well. the will
Marion Bruce will perform with her special friends Leith and EvieLou McCarron.
Jamie MacKay will sing and play some of his own compositions along with some old and beautiful favourites.
Tom Clark will also be there with some wonderful music.
Linda Stewart will be bringing her fiddle and playing some sweet music.
Louis Penny will share some country gospel music as well.
There might be others dropping in to enjoy the music and provide additional spontaneous selections.
The Friday night ceiledhs are sponsored by the Friends of Murray Harbour who will be serving a light lunch.
Admission is still only $5. Come and relax. The community centre is handicap accessible and is air-conditioned.