Difference of opinion ends longtime friendships
DEAR ABBY » The pandemic has put a strain on relationships. Last year, I lost my best friend of 40 years over the COVID vaccines. This friend decided he and his family would not take the jab. He quit his job rather than get vaccinated.
The big problem my wife and I are contending with concerns our 8-yearold daughter. She has been best friends with my (former) best friend’s daughter since birth. We can’t keep telling our daughter the pandemic is the reason she can’t see her best friend. What do I tell my daughter about her best friend?
— Victim of the Times
DEAR VICTIM » Tell your daughter the truth — that her friend’s parents will no longer allow it. Then explain why.
DEAR ABBY » I was recently contacted by my graduating class to help organize a reunion. Since then, one of the organizers has decided that our committee is an inseparable trio who must get together regularly by Zoom and occasionally in person.
We were not in touch before the reunion, but I can tell she’s lonely, so I’ve indulged her so far. However, she now wants to convene periodically for long weekends.
When I’ve tried to demur with “unavailability” excuses, she insists we are a trio and we simply will wait a few weeks until I can find an open date. How should I handle this? — Reluctant Alumna
in the West
DEAR ALUMNA » Handle it by being frank with this needy individual. Tell her, “This isn’t going to happen. I don’t mind helping with the reunion, but your demands on my time have increased to the point where they are too much for me.”
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.