Baby’s name could be painful reminder DEAR ABBY

Dear Abby: My wife and I are expecting our second child. We are facing a moral decision based on choosing his name.

My wife’s cousin sadly had a late-term miscarriage two years ago. The name they were going to give their baby is coincidentally the same first and middle name that we have chosen for our child. We have wanted this combination of first and middle names for years, well before her cousin had her misfortune.

In our case, the middle name is in honor of my wife’s father. The first name is just one we have always liked and, frankly, we cannot think of any other names we like more. Is it immoral or even unkind to name our child the same as her cousin’s child? Should we consider a different name to avoid causing them pain?

Dear Respectful: Please try harder to find a different first name for your baby.

Although it would not be immoral to give your little one the same name(s) as this cousin’s stillborn baby, if this woman interacts with you at all, it will cause her pain.

Even though no one “owns” a name, to use these two would be extremely insensitive.

Dear Abby: I shared some information with my grandson about his mother that I shouldn’t have. He repeated it to her during an argument, and now she’s angry with me.

I apologized, but it has not been acknowledged or accepted. Our relationship has always been tenuous and, frankly, it’s not a big deal for me.

She will get over it, but she’s enjoying holding it over my head and being the victim.

They’re moving into a beautiful house this weekend. My son told me he can’t wait for me to see it, and he’s sure it won’t be long before I’m allowed to come out and visit.

What would you do? I’m thinking of buying an olive tree. They’re in style, and it would be my way if extending an olive branch. I will take it over when I know my son is there.

Good idea?

Dear Big Mouth: It’s cute, but an olive BRANCH and another sincere apology might be less expensive and go over better. It might even last longer than a tree in her brandnew yard that reminds her of something unpleasant.