DEAR ABBY: I have been married to the love of my life, "Ralph," for almost 24 years. We've been together since we were 17. Three years ago, he was injured in an accident and is now disabled. Ralph's doctors have told me he can never work again.
I am working full time to keep us afloat. Since Ralph is unable to contribute financially to our household now or in the future, his friends have started asking him if he is afraid I'm going to leave him. They assume that since he can't work I won't stand by him.
Is this something that happens to men when they can't work? Do women leave their husbands for this reason? It certainly sounds uncaring and not "for better or worse," which is the vow I took when I married him.
Abby, Ralph has become increasingly insecure since his accident and he's worried that his friends are predicting something that I know isn't going to happen. How can I ease his mind? -- NOT GOING ANYWHERE IN UTAH
DEAR NOT: Tell him often how much you love him, how important he is in your life, and that you would be lost without him. Reassure him that a husband is more than a paycheck, and, as your signature says, you are not going anywhere.
Sadly, some women do marry their spouses only "for better and for richer" -- but thankfully, they're in the minority. For your husband's friends to imply that you belong in that category is both insulting and unfair.
Clip this column and show it to your husband. I hope he won't allow his friends to tarnish your union by creating suspicion where no transgression has occurred.