Political differences put a sudden end to reader’s 20- year friendship

Dear Abby: In the last presidential election, I had a friend who voted differently than I did. We didn’t try to persuade each other to vote “our” way, but I did share on social media some opinions about people who had taken some controversial positions. She regarded these opinions as a personal attack and stepped out of my life without warning.

I have tried to re-engage with her several times — texts, Facebook messages, phone calls. One message was met with hostility, and the others have gone unanswered. I have tried to apologize for hurting her feelings even though I didn’t intend to and asked for forgiveness. I have offered to take her to lunch.

I hate the idea of walking away from a 20-year friendship over something that seems so insignificant to me.

Do I quit? Do I keep trying?

— Missing My Friend In Michigan

Dear Missing: What happened is unfortunate. Because not one of your overtures has been accepted, step back and stop trying for a while.

Dear Abby: I have recently been transferring all my photo slides from my childhood to my present age to my computer. Reviewing them I am dismayed there are very few photos of my grandfather, father or husband because they were usually the ones behind the camera taking the photos. Let’s all remember to also put them in front of the camera.

— Picturing It In Oakland, Calif.

Dear Picturing It: Your suggestion has merit, which is why I’m sharing it. However, with the advent of cellphone cameras and the ease with which folks take group selfies these days, I’m betting that in the future no one will be left out of the picture.