Dear Readers: On Sept. 23, I published two letters from older adults experiencing loneliness (“Still Grieving” and “Wants a Connection”). I asked those of you who have successfully found connection at a later stage in life to write in.
Dear Eric: I am one of four siblings. I live close to but not with my 102-year-old mother while my siblings live far away. Over the past 12 years, I have gradually taken over a lot of her care, although she generally makes her own decisions and is financially secure. She is dependent on me for cooking, shopping, appointments and company.
Dear Eric: We raised them to be independent but caring adults, and we can’t understand why they showed little-to-no concern for our safety.
Dear Eric: My husband stands over beautiful landscaping on our small patio. I have expressed many times that I am offended, the plants are offended, and that he should stop this grossness, if for no other reason than that It upsets me so much.
Dear Eric: It’s been more than six months of living together and now it’s almost a month before he is “in the mood”. I have cried and we have gotten into arguments over the lack of intimacy in our relationship. Each time, he claims he is still attracted to me but just isn’t interested in sex anymore. He said he doesn’t have that urge. He is worried if he tried to have sex, he wouldn’t be able to perform.
Dear Eric: My sister-in-law, who I love and have known since she was a child, recently bought two small “doodle” dogs. She brought them with her for an overnight, weekend visit. They barked at every little sound – a person coming into the room, door opening/closing.
Dear Eric: Our daughter went for a “visit” to Indiana with her boyfriend. My instinct that she was never coming back proved to be true. Then, about a year later, she sent us a long hateful email, blaming us for every perceived failure in her life.
Dear Eric: When my mother or brother write to me, they address the letters to Mrs. Green. I have not been Mrs. Green at home for more than 20 years and was always Ms. Green at work. I am not Mrs. Green. I am Ms. Green. Mostly it doesn’t bother me, I think that’s just them. And I don’t know how to raise it with them without opening old wounds. Do I continue to suck it up or do I say something. If so, what?
Dear Eric: Three years ago, I met a woman, Margaret, and we became best friends very rapidly. Last year, during a tough year, I began to feel that some of Margaret’s behavior was that of someone who was using me, not someone who actually cared about me
Dear Eric: A few years ago, I sold my extra car as I was retiring in good financial shape and simplifying my expenses. Having an extra EZ Pass toll device, I gifted it to my father and his third wife, my stepmother.