DEAR ABBY: I have been married for quite a long time, and I am seriously contemplating walking away from it. We no longer have anything in common.
I’m active and hike, bike, play golf and lift weights. My wife is 100% sedentary and wants no part of any of these activities that could keep us both healthy. It has taken a toll on her to the point that she has become obese and has mobility issues. Even a small amount of exertion exhausts her, which leaves me doing almost everything. I did not sign up to be someone’s caretaker because she didn’t take care of herself.
For a long time, I have become friendly with a woman who is active and healthy like me. We have much more in common than just being active. She tells me she loves my intelligence and what a great career I had. I never received any support from my wife. I am tired of being a slave. I want a partner. Your thoughts? — FIT IN NEW YORK
DEAR FIT: I think your marriage started failing before you met this active, health-conscious woman. As it stands, you are emotionally divorced before being legally divorced. Talk to an attorney, then tell your wife that you haven’t felt emotionally supported by her for a long time and you want a divorce so you can be with someone whose interests and lifestyle more closely align with yours. From what you have written, I doubt your marriage could be saved by counseling because, emotionally, you have already moved on.
DEAR ABBY: I am a single female in my 60s. I’m very much a loner and mostly keep to myself. While I know my lifestyle may be unconventional, it is the one I choose.
My concern is the possibility of dying alone in my house. I have serious health issues and don’t expect to live a long life. I sometimes go weeks without contact with another human being, and if I should meet my demise, there’s a real possibility that it could go completely unnoticed for quite some time.
I am not asking that you offer advice to fix my solitary life because, frankly, I accept it. What I would like to know is if there is a way — a service or device or something — that would alert someone in the likely event that I am alone when I meet my end. — FLYING SOLO IN TEXAS
DEAR SOLO: Great question. If you have a newspaper delivered, your carrier would notice if they were starting to pile up on your doorstep. The same would apply if your mail carrier noticed your mail starting to accumulate. There are also apps and services that will check in daily with you to be sure you are OK.
One I have heard about is the Telephone Reassurance program. It is often a free service provided by a county’s department of aging and disabilities. Volunteers place daily phone calls to older or disabled adults to help them remain independent in their homes for as long as possible. If this isn’t available in your area, check with your local senior center, AARP or department of senior services for recommendations.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds,) to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)