ArcaMax

Dear Amy: I have had a woman in my life who has been like a mother to me since childhood. When I had each of my three children, she came out to help me. She has been like a grandmother to my kids for their entire lives. She is lovely and we all adore her.

This past summer I visited her with two of my children. She had two second cousins visiting, also. I thought the visit went well. She was very kind and gracious while we were there.

However, a week or so after we returned home, she wouldn't respond to any calls or texts. The only time she did respond was to ask me if I was going to see a therapist.

I was super confused, but found out later, via an email that had passed around to various members of her family, that her family had accused me of coming on to the two male cousins while I was there.

In the email, she stated that although she never witnessed this, she was hurt that I would do this to her family.

Amy, I have no interest in other men besides my husband, and certainly would never behave in this way. These men are also younger than I. I am no cougar.

I think her family members were extremely jealous of our close bond, and this was their motivation.

She has not only cut off all communication with me, but she won't talk to my children. They don't understand why their "grandma" wants nothing to do with them. They feel they are being rejected by someone they loved and trusted.

What do I tell them, and how do we move forward?

-- Wondering

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