Dear Abby: My dads hospitality is being taken advantage of by my relative
DEAR ABBY: My father is in his mid-80s.He has been to the hospital several times in the last month because of age-related medical conditions.
A family member is vacationing here and wants to stay at dad’s house for a week instead of a hotel or bed-and-breakfast.Dad told me he’s not feeling up to it, but he doesn’t know how to tell them without upsetting them.I passed this message to the family member, and they agreed.
A week later, they announced that they were going to come anyway and would be there on a certain date.How do I explain that this is too much for him? Having guests stay at your house is a lot of work and can create a lot of stress.
— GET A ROOMDEAR GET A ROOM: It was presumptuous of this family member to invite themselves in the first place.It is beyond the pale to insist on coming after being told they would be a burden to your ailing father.
Your dad’s health and well-being must come first, so stop worrying about upsetting this person.Suggest a nice place for them to stay when they come to town, and be as blunt as necessary when you tell them they are not staying with your dad.DEAR ABBY: I am a widow in my early 60s.
I have had a best friend for 50 years.For the most part, we get along great and rarely have disagreements, partly because I don’t like conflict or confrontation.
I usually let it go if I do not agree with something she has said.Recently, she made a comment I found disturbing and personally derogatory.
I immediately called her out on it, and we had a strongly worded argument.We haven’t spoken since.
I can’t decide whether to give her a call to try to smooth things out.If I do, I worry she may continue to belittle me.
What do you think? — GROOVY MAMADEAR GROOVY: Do you miss your friend? It seems like you would like to give her another chance.I say give her a call.
You don’t have to mention the insult.Just invite her to a meal or other activity you both enjoy, and try to have a good time.
If she doesn’t mana...