Ask Amy: Grief without flowers creates a void
Dear Looking: I’m so sorry you are experiencing this complicated loss.
It might help you to understand that some people have an extremely negative reaction to flowers after a loss, because the scent, followed by the inevitable wilting and deterioration, can be a powerful trigger for grief.
I’m writing a prescription for you to go out today and purchase a flowering potted plant – something appropriate for your area that you could then plant in the ground when the seasons change.
I hope you will also ask your friends and family members directly to send you flowers! It’s not too late. Giving them a specific task and a clear way to help will unite all of you.
One idea would be to ask your most reliable friend or family member to coordinate a delivery of one fresh bouquet each week for the next month or so – each from a different friend.
Dear Amy: I'm in a new relationship with a man I have known for years.
He keeps emails and text messages from a woman he was previously in a relationship with. Some of those texts from her are sexual in nature.
The woman also sends pictures of herself to him.
Although her communication with him is becoming less frequent, I can't help but wonder why he keeps these reminders.
When she contacts him it's always about how she loves him and she knows he loves her.
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