July 3, 2021 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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5 July 3, 2021 Activities Woman can’t accept ex’s new girlfriend another. Do I need therapy? have been her problem. He was Dear Abby Are these normal feelings? -- an only son and brother. They THROWN IN MONTANA didn’t have an opportunity to DEAR ABBY: I’ve been di- say goodbye; therefore, they vorced from my husband of 18 DEAR THROWN: It would be don’t have closure. His sister years for two years, separated abnormal not to have “some” for three. I have encouraged and mother are grief-stricken reaction to the new woman in and angry. my ex to get out and meet new your ex’s life. That he’s obscur- people. (He stayed home and I can only offer words of ing the truth from you tells me alone for about two years.) It comfort and prayers. With so he may feel guilty about the must have been a New Year’s many unanswered questions age difference or worried you resolution of his because I no behind all of this, what is the will be judgmental. Therapy longer receive random texts to may help you accept that he’s best way to offer comfort and ask how I’m doing or to make now the captain of his fate, support? Or should I just give casual conversation. so it’s no longer necessary for them time? -- SO MUCH PAIN When I asked him who she you to help him navigate the was, he replied, “Nobody.” Of seas of life. It would be cheaper DEAR SO MUCH PAIN: course, I know him well, and I to simply let go, allow him to Please accept my condolences knew he wasn’t being truthful. make some mistakes along the for your family’s loss. Call Bec- He’s 50; she’s 25. I’m grossed way and focus instead on your ca and her family often. Even out, mostly because our older own present and future. better, deliver your words of daughter is 27. The younger comfort by visiting in person if one is 22. I know I should be DEAR ABBY: My heart is she would appreciate the com- happy for him, but I’m not. heavy for my sister-in-law, pany. Offer to help with shop- We still celebrate holidays as “Becca,” and her family. Her ping for groceries, laundry a big, old, happy family, which I brother recently passed away. -- whatever she might be too don’t mind. We have grandchil- He’d been ill, but no one ex- depressed to do herself right dren, and I want the holidays to pected his death. To make mat- now. And THEN give her time be special. But I have no desire ters worse, his wife didn’t con- to celebrate them with some- to heal. tact his family about his death one who is barely older than for several days and had him my younger daughter. I know cremated without notifying Dear Abby is written by Abi- it likely won’t go anywhere, but them. They learned about his gail Van Buren, also known what the heck? death when his obit was posted as Jeanne Phillips, and was I’m in a happy relationship. on Facebook. founded by her mother, Pau- Granted, I’m enjoying life and From what I’ve been line Phillips. Contact Dear not planning my future or told, his wife has had little to Abby at www.DearAbby.com or anything like that. My mind no contact with his family. Bec- P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Crossword says one thing; my heart says ca can’t understand what could CA 90069. Current puzzle answers Get Fuzzy Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield Dilbert