Dear Abby: My siblings and I have different views on politics, religion and lifestyles, yet we love to be together. The key is respect.
My siblings and I have different views on politics, religion and lifestyles, yet we love to be together. The key, Dear Abby, is respect.
I am one of nine children who all still get along. One sibling belongs to a religious order. At least one is not a Christian. One is a born-again Christian. One of us is gay and married. We are not all of the same political persuasion. Yet somehow, after all these years, we have managed to get along and still gather for family fun, whether it’s a holiday or just a cookout. We don’t all live in the same state, but more often than not, most of us are there.
There’s no secret to us still loving as well as liking each other. We simply respect each other’s opinions and realize that although we don’t always agree, it’s not worth cutting out of our lives someone we have known “forever.” I can’t imagine losing even one sibling over a silly disagreement. That’s not to say we haven’t had arguments, because we have certainly had our share, but we simply take the high road and agree to disagree. I love my siblings with all my heart.
Most of the mail I receive concerns relationships that fractured because of a lack of respect for someone’s feelings. Thank you for your, frankly, refreshing letter. If more people emulated your family’s example, this world would be a happier, less complicated place in which to live. I wish your attitude were contagious.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby atIf you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dear Abby: My church group leader badmouthed my husband and disrupted my home lifeOur meetings take up hours every week, and it’s upsetting my home life.
Read more »
Dear Abby: Man wonders how he could have a complete physical without undressingThe doctor seemed nice, but I found it strange that I wasn’t examined physically.
Read more »
Dear Abby: Woman is stuck between her husband and her church groupI'm very involved with our women’s ministry, but my husband has an issue with our leader, who has bad-mouthed him.
Read more »
Dear Abby: I expected thorough medical exam to include undressingThe doctor seemed nice, but I found it strange that I wasn’t examined physically.
Read more »
Dear Abby: My family is walking on eggshells around our daughter-in-lawWhat happens when a family has to walk on eggshells around another family member? One reader shares their story in this Dear Abby column.
Read more »
Dear Abby: Should I quit trying to communicate with my son?A mother asks Abby for advice on dealing with her son.
Read more »