DEAR ERIC: I was raised that, when a friend suffered a loss, we would go to the house with food, flowers or just to offer our support. If the person was too far away, we’d call and send a card or flowers. Six months ago, my son died unexpectedly of a heart attack, and I’ve been dealing with unbearable grief while at the same time having to deal with his affairs mostly alone.
My two oldest friends of 25 years and one of 19 years are in the immediate area but didn’t call, visit or even send a card. I feel like maybe I never even mattered. It’s been six months, and they have avoided me this whole time.
My husband said maybe people aren’t like that anymore. You can imagine I don’t want anything to do with them ever again. But my question is why?…