u/Ok_Drama_6985

Son A (26) became born again a few years ago and has been growing more and more rigid. We do not have a religious family. I have church trauma and won’t go back.

Son B (23) came out as trans 2 years ago.

Son A has been away overseas for a year on a mission trip and is now home for a month before he goes back. Before he left, Son B asked him to use his name and not his dead name, and to use the proper pronouns. Son A said he wouldn’t ever introduce Son B as his brother because “that would be lying”. Son B is devastated his brother feels this way, of course.

They have had no contact for a year. In planning his trip home Son A has been asking to communicate with Son B, and asked to have dinner together. Son B refused because he said he needs an apology first and an agreement Son B will respect him.

These messages have all gone through me and it’s awful. Today I told them to talk to each other and not me as a messenger.

I am so torn up that Son A has become this way because it’s not how we raised him at all. I can’t handle that he would choose religion over his own family.

Son A has a new fiancé and she is here visiting. We’ve never met her before; they met on the mission. He wants us all to be together but no one is interested in group things because it’s so tense and awful. There are two other siblings who are both lesbian. I am protecting Son B and his privacy in our home. He lives with me and his partner is here for the summer.

Can anyone offer advice of how to parent honestly, fairly, and sanely in this situation? They’re adults, but they’re young and they look to me for guidance and support.

Their dad and I are divorced and 3/4 have no relationship with him.

Thank you for reading this far and sorry it’s so long.

Does anyone know of a potter who could throw a couple of plates for me? I have a project that requires wet clay. I would hire them for this, of course.

Arts on Fire doesn’t offer wet clay.

Anyone know a dog owner in the 400 block of S. Grand? Their dog has been outside whining loud enough to be heard blocks away. It’s been whining for four hours. Giving them a chance to help it because I don’t want to trespass and get myself in trouble or get injured. Worried because it could be in distress, not necessarily mad at the owner. Things happen.

I’ve searched and have not seen this discussed.

How would Steve have been able to >!hide his vasectomy from the medical team helping him and Lee conceive?!<

My colonoscopy was scheduled for Thursday. A few weeks ago, on the phone, I was given some verbal prep. I have been waiting for actual instructions all this time. Last week I called and was told it would be in my patient portal. They said someone missed sending it to me but it would be there. Two days ago I called and got the same response. It’s still not in there. I don’t feel comfortable with next to zero info, and with prep that is different from last time (same day instead of day prior) so I cancelled. I’m going to talk to my PC about it today because I am also having a UTI. Has a clinic ever spooked you with this lack of care?

Is this true? Am I asking for the wrong thing?

TL;DR: Lovely new partner, feeling guilty despite signs to lean in

My spouse passed 15 years ago from a long battle with cancer. They were my world. I suffered through it with my young son. We have moved through life together and are mostly unscathed now.

I began dating after two years, and a partner moved in for a few years. It was nice for my loneliness and for my son, but it wasn’t the right relationship in the end. We are still friendly. It was too soon.

A couple of years ago I had a very clear dream in which my late spouse suggested I reach out to my college love. I knew them before my spouse and we had a great relationship before jobs took us in different (literal) directions. I had been thinking of them. We had maintained a polite friendship over the years.

I texted, then called and asked for a date. It was so good. It was calm, and sweet, and felt safe. Two years later it is still those things. There is zero pressure to move forward into living together or more, only happiness just to be together. It might be the best relationship I’ve ever had. I feel guilty saying that.

I have had more dreams with the same “push” from my late spouse, and now similar dreams from my late mother. I do think about asking my partner to move in, at least. I believe they feel we are end game (both in our 50s).

I am conflicted because I’m afraid. I’m afraid of losing another great love. I’m conflicted because of guilt. My social profiles still list me as married to my late spouse. I wonder if I’m not as healed as I think. At the same time I’m afraid to lose this wonderful person. The dreams make this even more confusing.

I need some support outside of my therapist. Can I move forward and still honor the past? My late spouse’s friends are fiercely protective and one has been unkind to my new partner, saying they will never measure up. My partner has never been anything but kind and appreciative of my marriage and understanding of the trauma. My son recently told my new partner he loves them and is thankful they are in my life and that they are good for me.

Thank you for reading this far. I would appreciate help with guilt, honor, loving again, and dealing with friends who mean well but are causing issues.

I’ve been the EA to the city manager for 8 years. Our organization has over 500 employees. Over the years my duties have expanded exponentially.

I am at the point I feel I should be in a new class spec with increased pay and probably a new title. I’ve read the job descriptions for Office Managers and the only difference is the supervision of staff. I have no staff, although I do a lot of supervising as the “answer person”. They won’t change me to Office Manager because of this, although there are managers who don’t supervise.

In addition to my duties, I’ve been chosen to produce a Citizens Academy for the public, which is a huge undertaking and well outside of my regular tasks. I have a PR degree so I’m thrilled.

How would you advocate for more if this were you?

Was the guy always a performative hayseed? His letter supporting Busse sounds so unprofessional. Nothing he said is wrong, but the delivery is pandering and insulting. Unless that’s really how he is. I met him once. I don’t recall him using poor grammar or sounding like he is off the page of a Yellowstone script.

From the letter:
“Being a Montanan is not something you can teach or buy; it’s gotta come natural. We don’t care much for out-of-state endorsements and big D.C. money telling us who to elect or what’s important.”

There’s more, but if I post the link you’ll get a firewall.

People thought Kamala Harris put on vocal inflection based on the audience, and this reminds me of that.

If you don’t want the downtown PO to move to a new location, write to:

Attn: Babcock Station PO Relocation
United States Postal Service
PO Box 27497
Greensboro, NC 27498-1103

They lost their lease (to the Feds) and I fear for what could happen to the space, let alone the building or lot. It’s such a good downtown location, too.

Is this even real? I’m imagining the look on my boss’s face when I tell him I want to go to Portugal for two days. It’s only a few weeks away, are they serious?

16th Annual Executive Assistant Summit

Lisbon, Portugal

21-22 May 2026

Eurostars Universal Lisboa Hotel

There’s another one in December in Prague!

I need to hear about these, if anyone here has been. Good for our profession, but I’m surprised.