Ask Amy: Emotional affair strains long marriage
Suddenly, I found myself reaching for that cat and resting it in my lap.
I can't begin to describe the immediate impact it had on my sanity and emotional well-being.
In addition to the laughter it brought when others asked, "Is that a cat on your desk?" it also provided comfort.
It saw me through some of my worst moments. It looked on without judgment and maintained peace in a world of chaos. It may be an inanimate object, but it served an important role. It became a real friend.
Since arriving home, I've taken that stuffed cat with me on multiple road trips and hikes. I still hold it when I'm in need of comfort. I will definitely be taking it with me on my next deployment.
– Unashamed Soldier
Dear Unashamed: Wait. I’ve got something in my eye.
Remember the lesson from the peerless book, “The Velveteen Rabbit”?
This is how beloved objects become “real.”
Dear Amy: I loathed your dangerous response to “Stuck,” who was torn between inviting non-vaccinated family members and a “paranoid” family member.
No vaccinated person should be sharing space with unvaccinated people. Period.
– Upset
Dear Upset: Each of us has the responsibility to assess our own risks, based on our own vaccination status – and information provided by the CDC.
For many families, using a rapid home antigen test right before gathering might be the best answer.
========
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
©2021 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
