My uncle is dying - the doctor says days or weeks. I haven't said anything to him, or his wife, or his kids, since they got the cancer diagnosis a few months ago. Our families have had a historically fractured relationship, so it all feels very awkward to me. Please help me figure out what to appropriately say to them.
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posted by raztaj
on Feb 25, 2013 -
10 answers
Elderly mom is ill. If it looks like she's not going to make it should I tell her estranged daughter (my semi-estranged sister) despite the risk of an ugly scene ensuing?
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posted by under_petticoat_rule
on Dec 7, 2012 -
32 answers
My estranged father passed away last Sunday. I've decided to attend the funeral. Please help me conduct myself with something resembling grace. Overly complex snowflakey stuff inside.
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posted by Ephelump Jockey
on Jul 31, 2012 -
23 answers
My estranged father passed away. Should I attend his funeral? Lengthy, snowflake details inside.
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posted by kitkatcathy
on Oct 14, 2011 -
35 answers
Is there anything in the Bible that can help one justify the estrangement of an abusive parent? I know that not speaking to my mother is the right thing to do, but what does the good book say?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 2, 2011 -
22 answers
I am an unmarried only child. My mom died in December. My dad is 82 and has Parkinson's. Once he goes, I'll have no blood family. I need advice and guidance on how to make the best of things and build the best unfamilied life possible.
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posted by Rosie M. Banks
on Jan 19, 2011 -
21 answers
My dad has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. We are not close. I'd like some level of closure but don't know what I want.
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posted by zerobyproxy
on Nov 17, 2010 -
8 answers
How does a U.S. government (NSA, CIA, FBI, etc.) job application background check work if you are estranged from your biological family?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 28, 2010 -
9 answers
How do I explain to my son about why I am estranged from my mom and dad (his maternal grandparents)?
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posted by murrey
on Feb 21, 2010 -
11 answers
I am estranged from my brother for a lot of different reasons. I want to have a relationship with him, but I only can do that if I do it 100% on his terms, which I simply cannot do (not religious and getting more anti-religious by the day). Should I continue to make the effort in the hopes of breaking through to him or just live my life without my only sibling?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 24, 2009 -
24 answers
I'm going to be at a rainy cottage all weekend with 3 senior citizens: my dad, aunt, and uncle. I want my non-talkative dad and his sister to reminisce about their childhoods, but I suspect my aunt's talkative husband will dominate the conversation. If that happens, Dad and Aunt won't talk much. How can I encourage them to reminisce without hurting my uncle's feelings?
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posted by twistofrhyme
on Sep 30, 2009 -
11 answers
I recently learned I am eligible for Irish citizenship because my grandparents were born in Ireland. I need to obviously prove my relation to them, which is where things get sticky. I am related to them by way of my somewhat estranged father.
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posted by anonymous
on May 15, 2008 -
13 answers
I've been estranged from my family for 3+ years. How can I explain this to a girl that I'm dating without seeming like a nutcase or weirdo?
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posted by Jake Apathy
on Oct 21, 2006 -
32 answers
