Dear Abby: My sister was recently hospitalized. Due to swelling in her hand, she needed to remove her wedding ring. This ring was my late father’s wedding ring. They said if she couldn’t remove it, they would have to cut it off. I asked if I could take it home, and she nodded. I gave it back to her when she got home.
Now I am being accused of stealing the ring from a family member. My sister only wore this ring and no others. However, the family claims she was wearing two of my mother’s rings. Not true. My mother was buried with her wedding ring and anniversary ring together. (My parents had been married for over 50 years when my father died. My mother died 5 years later.)
I love my family but I don’t want to talk to them for a while now. Should I forget about the accusations against me or distance myself for my own good? Missouri Indictment
Defendant: You don’t specify who is accusing you of stealing the rings. Is it your sister? She knows how many rings you were wearing when you went to the hospital, so she should be able to correct her relative. If she can’t or won’t, it may be best for your mental health to not engage with the accuser until this issue is resolved.
Dear Abby: I am dating a man named “Gerald” who is an only child and has a bad relationship with his mother. We bought his mother’s house 2 years ago because she couldn’t afford it on her own. She had separated from her husband who is not Gerald’s father.
Initially, his mother was going to come live with us, but instead she reunited with my husband. The problem is, she hasn’t moved her belongings out of the house. She’s a bit of a hoarder. Our garage is full of her stuff, and every room in the house has her furniture and belongings.
I’ve packed up many of them and can no longer stand the uncertainty of not knowing when we’ll be moving. Gerald’s strained relationship with his mother doesn’t help the situation either. I made him text my father-in-law to ask when his belongings would be picked up.
Gerald says his mother is very controlling and this is all part of her plan. I am desperate and need advice. I blame Gerald for not setting expectations when we first bought our house. Boxed in Texas
For you in the box: Call Gerald’s mother. Tell her you want her belongings removed from her house, set a date, and arrange for movers to deliver them to her and her husband. Give her plenty of time (one month) so she can make a plan to store the unwanted items (at her expense). Will she like you? No, absolutely not. But you will be free.
Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren (aka Jean Phillips) and launched by her mother, Pauline Phillips. To contact Dear Abby, please contact us at http://www.DearAbby.com or write to PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
