Brother demands an apology
DEAR AMY: A few years ago, my brother asked my husband and me if we would be willing to take in his daughter, as she was going through a difficult time and needed to leave her hometown. We were delighted to have our niece live with us. She was never charged for rent or food. She is family, and we were happy to help.
One evening over dinner, my niece and I were having a conversation about the church that my brother and his wife attend. I mentioned that I do not care for this church, as I think it controls too much of their life. They have quit coming to family dinners because of church activities, and they have downgraded so they could give more to the church.
My brother has taken such offense to the comment that I made, which is my opinion, that he will not have anything to do with me. He says that he will not talk to me again until I apologize.
I think I should be able to have a conversation in my home and have a right to my opinion.
Estranged
DEAR ESTRANGED: You aren’t prepared to apologize for your point of view, so the only thing you can honestly be sorry about is having offended your brother. Affirm his feelings: “I’m sorry you are so offended. I was having a private conversation and regret that it was repeated. It was never my intention to hurt you. I’d like to move on and hope you are able to, as well.”
DEAR AMY: Each year I send my grandchildren a birthday card with a check in it and also Valentine’s Day cards with cash. There is never an acknowledgment of the gifts.
The children are in grade school, so they can use a telephone.
We live a fair distance away, but I attend their concerts and games. They even spend a week at my house during the summer while their parents are on vacation. I keep them occupied with activities, and I know they enjoy time with us.
It just seems like they cannot say thank you!
How can I explain my disappointment to them ( and my son, who is their dad), or should I just let it go?
Hurt Grandma
DEAR HURT: I’m not sure checks and cash are the kinds of gifts that grade- school children prize. Books, art supplies, toys and games seem more “real” to youngsters.
Regardless of the gift, however, you should be thanked. It is very easy for parents to coach children to express simple gratitude and appreciation. One way to do this is for a parent to shoot a short video of a child saying thank you and blowing you a kiss — and sending the video along to you. Or your son could simply put the kids on the phone.
Judging the children and complaining, rather than simply speaking your mind, is not useful. Say to your son, “My feelings get hurt when the kids don’t acknowledge my gifts. Can you do me a favor and have them give me a call?”
Make sure you also tell the children ( in person) that when they receive a gift, always thank the giver — with a hug, a note or a call. You can show them how to write notes when they are with you over the summer.
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I know little of marketing, but Cy the Cynic says that when a store advertises an item as “limit: one to a customer,” it means they’re way overstocked.
At today’s 3NT, South won the first heart with dummy’s 10 and counted eight tricks: a heart, two spades, three diamonds and two clubs. When he next took the A- Q of diamonds, West threw a club.
South couldn’t afford to let East get in since a heart return would be fatal. So South cashed the K- A of spades before leading a third spade. Alas, East won and led his last heart. Down one.
South must have thought there was a one- per- deal limit on “avoidance” plays. He tried one in spades but missed one that would have assured the contract. At Trick Two South can let the 10 of diamonds ride.
As the cards lie, South wins five diamond tricks and succeeds easily. If West had the jack, South would still have four diamonds, two clubs, two spades and a heart and would be safe from a further heart lead by West.
You hold: ♠ 9 5 2 ♥ A K J 7 3 ◆ 6 ♣ Q 10 6 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids one spade and you try 1NT. Partner next bids two hearts. What do you say?
Your 1NT was quite conservative; a bid of two clubs or an invitational jump to 2NT was possible. Partner’s bidding promises a good hand. If he had a hand such as A K 4 3, Q 4 2, J 10 7 3, K 5, he would have no reason to disturb 1NT. Bid four hearts. He may hold A K 4 3, Q 4 2, A Q 7 3 2, 5.