July 10, 2021 Issue, Page 5 of 10

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5 July 10, 2021 Activities Sister longs for deeper relationship with siblings so I know I have the ability to to get counseling and is getting Dear Abby foster long-term friendships. worse. I would appreciate any What am I missing? Must I ac- DEAR ABBY: I recently advice that you would be will- cept our relationship as is, or moved back to my hometown are there things I can try? -- ST. ing to give. -- MISMATCHED after being away for six years. LOUIS SISTER IN TEXAS My family is great, and we all get along. The problem is my DEAR SISTER: This may sisters. There are three of us DEAR MISMATCHED: Draw not be the personal rejection (all in our 40s) and a younger the line. Tell your husband you you seem to feel. Was your brother who lives out of town. relationship with your sisters will no longer tolerate being I always thought I was close much closer before you moved the target of his verbal abuse. to them, but after moving away six years ago? That you If he can’t calmly discuss your back, it seems I can’t break relocated and they found other through the barrier of sister differences -- political or other- support systems in your ab- versus friend. I’d like us to be sence may have something to wise -- you do not want them closer, get together for din- do with this. They could also discussed, particularly in front ners, go shopping, etc. But we have busy lives and family re- of the children. Offer him the only saw each other for fam- sponsibilities of their own and “option” of counseling because ily get-togethers (pre-COVID), therefore be less available for and when we talk, we discuss the kind of activities you have it appears he has an anger family matters mostly. in mind. It’s time to stop push- problem he’s projecting onto To see us, you would think ing. Accept that you are all in you. But if he refuses, schedule we’re close, but it’s not the re- different stages of life than you some appointments for your- ality. I yearn for a friendship may have been when you were with both of them. I’d like to self to help you decide if you younger and concentrate on al- know their deeper thoughts lowing your friends to be the want to spend the rest of your and concerns, be a source of support system you crave. life in a marriage like this. support and care and generally be viewed as a close confidant. DEAR ABBY: My husband of Dear Abby is written by Abi- At the suggestion of some 20 years constantly blames ev- friends, I have tried to foster erything on the political party I gail Van Buren, also known this closeness by reaching out lean toward. He tries his best to as Jeanne Phillips, and was just to say hi, inviting them say hurtful things about them founded by her mother, Pau- over for sibling nights and and lure me into a fight. I try line Phillips. Contact Dear making myself vulnerable in to ignore it, but it’s starting to Abby at www.DearAbby.com or our conversations by shar- wear on me, and our kids hear ing about my life with them. his rants as well. He has a lot P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Crossword I have a nice circle of friends, of hateful feelings. He refuses CA 90069. Current puzzle answers Get Fuzzy Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield Dilbert