DEAR ABBY: You missed the boat in your response to "Furious in Spanish Port, Ala.," whose husband expected her to entertain his long-estranged father while he attended a social event.
You said, "It is important to your husband, so try to be gracious."
Abby, if Dad were so important to "Furious'" hubby, wouldn't you think hubby would decline the social event and tend to Dad himself? Even an important business-related social event can be declined or cut short due to a visit from a father one has only seen three times in the past 45 years. -- ALISON IN PIEDMONT, CALIF.
DEAR ALISON: I was not prepared for the amount of criticism I received for my response to "Furious," so I will try to explain it. Many couples have emotional "issues" regarding their parents because of the way they were (or weren't) raised, and if possible it's better to resolve them while the parents are still living. Her husband asked her to suspend her anger and judgmental attitude and help him out. As a loving wife and helpmate, if it's possible for her to do so, I think she should.
I am not saying the long-absent father should be allowed to move in or take liberties. I'm saying only that she should be as charming as possible and give the man a fair hearing until her husband arrives.