Spouse is disappointed in family's reaction to cancer
She might be thinking, "If I can't tell my own sister personal stuff, then who can I tell?"
I understand that this disclosure should be filed under: TMI (Too Much Information), because it concerns someone you have known for 50 years and also have to see around the holiday table. It feels like a burden to hold such intimate knowledge about someone.
I hope you will tell your sister, "I'm so sorry this is happening, but I can't think of a way to help you through it. Can I help you to find a counselor to talk to?" (Check psychologytoday.com for a database of therapists in her ZIP code.)
Dear Amy: A response for "Unhappy Camper in Florida," whose husband had been contacted by a biological daughter (and three grandkids) he never knew he had.
He should definitely take a paternity test, just to confirm things.
-- Skeptical
Dear Skeptical: This wasn't mentioned in the original letter, so I took it as a given, but I agree that he should confirm his paternity.
========
(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
