Dear Abby: My lifelong friend has started acting weird and she wont tell me why

DEAR ABBY: A group of us friends grew up together and have remained connected over the decades.Many have died off, however, leaving three of us who are very close.

One of the three, “Marie,” has grown increasingly “prickly” with each passing year.When I have mentioned it to her, she says, “Love me anyway!” We do love her, but we find ourselves spending less and less time around her. Marie is divorced and has no children.

I had always envisioned inviting her to live with my family so she wouldn’t be alone (she’s having trouble keeping up her home and lives on a very modest income).When my grandchildren were around recently, Marie was gritting her teeth because her nerves were so frayed.

As a result, my daughter took the kids out for a long walk and later asked what I thought was wrong with “Auntie.” I’d like to give the question to you, Abby.What do you think is wrong with Marie? Our third survivor said after a recent experience (I wasn’t there) that he’d do everything in his power not to have his grandchild around her again.

–– CHANGE OF HEART IN OREGONDEAR CHANGE: You state that Marie has become increasingly “prickly” with each passing year.In light of your long friendship, try to find out the reason for her change in attitude.

Her disagreeableness may stem from unhappiness with the way her life has turned out.She may also not enjoy the company of young children.

(Not everyone does, although some are better at faking it than others.) Do not ask Marie to move in with you and your family unless you can provide private accommodations for her if the children stress her out.Alternatively, research lower cost, child-free alternatives that might better suit her. DEAR ABBY: I am getting divorced and not happy about it.

My wife and I have been married eight years, together for nine, and we have three children.I’m the first to admit that I made a lot of mistakes in business and with finances that caused her to no longer trust m...