DEAR ABBY: Through the years, my younger sister, “Hannah,” has been lying about some significant things, resembling: She claims she was there alone with our dad when he died; that our older sister tried to speak her into signing herself right into a state mental hospital; that my boyfriend was imaginary, etc.
Her most up-to-date fabrication, told to an elderly relative, is that our mother put Hannah unattended on a plane from Recent York to Virginia when she was 12, with a layover in Philadelphia. She said a person on the plane befriended her and took her to the VIP lounge, where he gave her wine and abandoned her there. The trip was supposedly to go to our older sister’s to help with a newborn baby.
A fast math check showed the infant wasn’t born until Hannah was 15. When that fact was presented to her, Hanna said, “Well, then the trip was for another reason.” Our older sister says Hannah never got here to Virginia on a plane or otherwise. This most up-to-date lie has bothered me greater than the others because I assumed Hannah was doing higher.
Many individuals have suggested to her that she might profit from medication, but she refuses to even consider that. Should I just let it go? I couldn’t say she was a danger to herself or others, so reporting her behavior wouldn’t get her the assistance she needs. — FAR FROM THE TRUTH
DEAR FAR: Your sister is a fabulist — someone who composes or relates fables and invents elaborate, unfaithful stories. From what you’ve described, she cannot help herself. Some people do that because they have to be the focal point. You aren’t going to alter Hannah, and drugs won’t make her condition go away. Let it go.
DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, with the support of my wife, I voluntarily gave up driving. I actually have some minor memory problems and depth perception issues. I leave the home only after I walk the dog or my wife drives me somewhere. Being practically housebound has caused my mental health to deteriorate.
I would really like to revisit this driving privileges issue with my wife. I’ll propose that I enroll in a remedial driving school to relearn my skills. My wife is dead set against it. I’m unsure she could be amenable to driving remediation. What do you’re thinking that? — MISSES MOBILITY IN OHIO
DEAR MISSES MOBILITY: I can understand your wife’s reluctance to will let you resume driving. Driving lessons is probably not enough to compensate to your vision problem, and if there may be a danger of your becoming lost (again) and winding up God knows where, it is best to not be behind the wheel.
This, nonetheless, doesn’t mean you could remain imprisoned in the home. Explore what public transportation is on the market in your city. If it isn’t convenient, think about using a driving service — Uber and Lyft come to mind — to take you where you would like to go. They’re as easy to make use of as installing their apps and typing in your required destination. Check them out. Many individuals of all ages use and luxuriate in them.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also generally known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.