DEAR ABBY: You challenged readers to send you examples of social blunders. Here's mine:
An elderly friend with whom I was very close was sent to an assisted living facility by daughters who rarely visit her. Shortly thereafter, I received a request from one of them asking for memorabilia, photographs or poems for her mother's 80th birthday.
I was horrified when the woman added, "Then we can kill two birds with one stone and display them at her memorial service." What bad taste. Needless to say, I sent nothing but my good wishes. -- APPALLED IN MONTANA
DEAR APPALLED: I'm all for planning ahead, but planning someone's funeral while the person is in reasonably good health strikes me as rushing things a bit. However, for your friend's sake, you should have sent a small photograph or a personal note to mark the happy occasion of the birthday.