Recommendations to heal a wounded soul
Firm boundaries, realistic and real-world consequences (i.e. "You can't afford to live here, and so you'll have to move"), and loving detachment are called for.
Dear Amy: Your beautiful response to the question from "Awkward" brought a tear to my eye. Awkward had a negative reaction to her in-laws' habit of saying "love you" to her, even though she didn't know them well.
I hope she follows your advice to open herself up to this expression.
She'll be happier if she does.
-- Grateful
Dear Grateful: I agree, and thank you.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o Tribune Content Agency, 16650 Westgrove Drive, Suite 175, Addison, Texas, 75001. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)