Dear Abby: Estranged Sister’s Birthday Texts Cause Aggravation

Phoenix: A reader reached out to Dear Abby about her complicated family dynamics. She’s been estranged from her siblings for years, especially after a fallout with her older sister following their father’s death. The tension has left her feeling stressed, particularly when it comes to birthday greetings.

She mentioned that her sisters still send her birthday texts, which makes her feel obligated to reply. This obligation has turned into a source of anxiety for her, as she dreads their birthdays. She feels a mix of resentment and relief since cutting ties with her older sister, who she believes took advantage of their parents.

Abby responded by acknowledging the reader’s feelings of righteous indignation. She pointed out that estrangement often means letting go of those social niceties, like birthday wishes. Abby encouraged her to stop responding to the texts, suggesting that the greetings would likely stop if she did.

In another letter, a different reader shared her grief over a friend’s suicide. She expressed guilt about not being able to prevent it and sought advice on how to cope with those feelings. Abby offered her sympathy and suggested joining a support group or talking to a therapist to help process her emotions.