May 17, 2025 Issue, Page 5 of 12

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ACTIVITIES The Elk City News SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 • 5 Mother-In-Law Complicates Birthday Planning With Demand DEAR ABBY: My husband’s band’s family is your husband’s years in a nursing home. He was the emptiness you feel by getting 50th birthday (we’re both men) DEAR ABBY family. By the age of 50, he is diagnosed at 47 and passed away out of your house and meeting is approaching, and I wanted to likely accustomed to their indif- at 66 — too young. The disease people. Reach out to friends, join have a surprise party for him. His to see him happy. His family has ference, if that is their problem. hit him hard and fast, and his a gym — because physical activ- family, my family and the two of never once come to visit us. (We Throw him a “surprise” party a death was long and painful. Ev- ity is an important mood boost- us all live in different states on have made multiple trips there.) couple of days before his actu- ery day is the same for me now, er — and find a cause for which the East Coast. I thought a com- I still want to have a celebra- al birthday and invite friends to filled with emptiness, sadness to volunteer. Although you may promise would be to have the tion, but I’m worried that with celebrate with you. Then, on his and tears. — OUT OF SORTS IN never stop missing your hus- party in New Jersey (halfway) on his family absent it will upset actual birthday, leave the hosting MICHIGAN band, you have your own life to a Saturday. I even offered to rent him. He’s a smart man. He will to his mother. (Hopefully, she DEAR OUT: Please accept my know they were invited but didn’t live now. Please don’t waste a pre- an Airbnb for the weekend, un- will.) If she agrees, go there with sympathy for the loss of your derstanding that traveling might bother to show up. I don’t want a smile and try not to let your an- beloved husband. Did you join cious moment of it. be too much for some folks. to cancel the party, but I also ger ruin the milestone occasion. a grief support group after his Even after all these efforts, my feel that asking us to have two death? If the answer is yes, you Dear Abby is written by Abigail mother-in-law responded that separate ones is unreasonable DEAR ABBY: How do I go on may be able to get through this Van Buren, also known as Jeanne she feels having two separate and selfish on their part. Must I in life without my husband? We journey with additional help Phillips, and was founded by her parties (one in her state and one just cut bait and stop expecting were married 44 years and very from an individual therapist. mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact local to us) is a better solution. I them to care? — PLANNER IN much in love. It has been eight From what you have written, Dear Abby at www.DearAbby. am beyond mad that his family is MARYLAND months since his passing. He had it appears you are very isolated. com or P.O. Box 69440, Los An- unwilling to make any sacrifice DEAR PLANNER: Your hus- MS and had to live his last six Please consider filling some of geles, CA 90069. CROSSWORD Get Fuzzy CURRENT PUZZLE ANSWERS Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield