Couple renew connection
DEAR ABBY: During the late 1950s I was married to the prettiest girl I ever set eyes on. “Jenny” and I were in our early 20s and naive. Back then, it wasn’t considered “manly” to talk over anything that might be bothering you, so there was little to no communication. Consequently, we weren’t able to meet each other’s emotional or sexual needs. After 18 years and two sons, we divorced.
Thirty-five years later, divine providence intervened and our paths have crossed again. Jenny and I are now talking, laughing, crying and loving together. Abby, please remind your readers that if they are having problems in their marriage to sit down and talk things over, with a counselor if necessary. Because we couldn’t do that, we lost 35 years of good
DEAR ABBY times.
We now see that neither of us ever lost that strong love we had for each other. We have never been as happy as we are now. Older But Wiser in Cali
fornia DEAR OLDER BUT WISER: What you lost so many years ago you and Jenny have gained in life experience. Communication is the key to successful relationships, and I’m pleased that you have achieved it now.
DEAR ABBY: How does one send a thank-you note for a really, really bad “re- gift”? This Christmas I received a battered box with old, wrinkled, ripped tissue paper thrown in with a couple of items that appeared to be part of another gift. It looked like a food gift basket had been divided up to make more gifts.
I say, why bother at all. Please advise.
Anony-miss Out West DEAR ANONY-MISS: The person may have felt obligated to give you something and been strapped for money for gifts. A gracious way to respond would be to thank the individual for thinking of you.
DEAR ABBY: I work in an office with a woman who is a grandmother. She’s very sweet but tends to get sick several times a year. As the mother of younger children, I have learned the “new school rules” on illness, like coughing or sneezing into your arm instead of your hand in an effort not to spread germs.
I can’t think of a tactful way to spread the message. Could you remind all your readers that this is a good preventive measure to reduce the spread of germs? Thanks! Trying to Stay Healthy
in New Jersey DEAR TRYING: A tactful way to get the word out would be to ask your boss or your supervisor to send a memo around the office — and provide anti-bacterial wipes so that shared equipment and door and cabinet knobs can be sanitized after a sick employee uses them.