Dear Abby: I loved him like a brother, but he’s a fair-weather friend

Dear Abby: I have a person in my life who I considered to be my best friend. Before he moved out of state, we agreed to contact each other every two weeks to stay in touch and, for a short while, we did. However, I began to realize I was the only one making calls, and sending texts or emails.

My wife and I planned a special visit to this friend. While there, my wife shared with him that after losing both my parents within a very short time, I I’d been struggling with depression and my personality had been affected. He promised to call more often to check

on me, but he never did. In the few times that I’ve spoken with him since then — again, with me doing the calling — he’s never asked me how I’m doing. My wife calls him a fair-weather friend and says I should just put him out of my life. I loved my friend more than a brother. What do you think I should do? — Friend for Life in Texas

Dear Friend: Please accept my sympathy for your losses. Your wife may have a point. He certainly hasn’t proven himself to be supportive or willing to do any of the heavy lifting in your relationship since he moved away.

Think carefully: Could he have always been this way, and the distance has just made it obvious? If that’s the case, continue to accept him for who he is and appreciate what little he is capable of giving when you talk, text, email, etc. But if his emotional distancing is new, then for your own sake, develop a better support system to help you through this period.

To my readers: For those of you who celebrate Easter, I wish you all a very meaningful and memorable day. Happy Easter, everyone.

— Love, Abby