Dear Annie: I enjoy your columns. Reading the letter from “Still Grieving” brought back memories of the passing of my husband of 44 years. We had a wonderful memorial service. He would have loved it.
On the one-year anniversary of his passing, you could also celebrate their birthday, as we did for my husband. My family all gathered together for his favorite home-cooked dinner. After dinner, we all went outside.
My hubby loved golf, and we lived on a course. I had gotten Sharpie markers and a white helium balloon for each one. We each wrote messages and memories on the balloons, gathered in a circle, said a prayer and sent them off. It was an emotional and heartwarming memory that I will forever hold near and dear to my heart.
Closure and moving on is so important; this helped me so much.
Thank you for your wonderful column.
— Paying Tribute to My Husband
Dear Paying Tribute: Thank you for writing such a beautiful and heartwarming letter, offering advice for achieving closure, which is so important in honoring our loved ones.
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Dear Annie: It will be a year this August since the passing of my mom from Lewy body dementia. At the time of her death, I was overwhelmed, exhausted and tired, besides having to take care of myself, our house, dogs and everything.
I am thinking of writing to those who took the time to send a card upon learning of my mom’s passing. Is it too late? Is it wrong? Should I just not worry about it?
Now I spend time with my 92-year-old dad; in addition to helping with his medical appointments, I am his advocate.
— Am I Too Late?
Dear Too Late: I am sorry for the loss of your mother. It is never too late to say thank you. Your friends will understand all that you were going through last year. Writing at the time of the first anniversary of your mom’s passing makes perfect sense.
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Dear Annie: I’ve read several columns in your writing about opposites. I am married to an introvert, and I am an extrovert. We both enjoy each other’s interests. But I read a book called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain.
I learned a lot about my husband and came to love him more after understanding him. This might help some opposites.
— Enjoying My Life
Dear Enjoying My Life: Thank you for the book recommendation, Quiet. It is a fantastic insight into the beauty of introverts.
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— A native Californian, Annie Lane writes her Dear Annie advice columns from her home outside New York City, where she lives with her husband, two kids and two dogs. Her latest anthology, How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?, features favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation, and is available as a paperback and e-book. Email your Dear Annie questions to dearannie@creators.com. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.