DEAR ABBY: My daughter, "Cassie," who is 23, moved out to live with her fiance. My house is now truly empty. I have two sons who have been on their own for a while. Cassie was the last to fly the coop.
I am so sad. I can't bear to even go into her room. It is so quiet. We didn't exactly have the closest relationship. I tried, but she wanted her independence. It hurt, but isn't that what a parent has to do with her kids?
Now that Cassie's gone, she won't answer calls or messages -- nothing. I saw her at her place of work the other day and she barely acknowledged me. She claims she is "happy now" and really doesn't miss me. She says hurtful things and makes fun of me because I am so sappy and emotional.
How do parents handle these situations? I don't work because I'm not able to. I know I should go out and do volunteer work. I do go to the gym, but I'm much younger than the crowd there. I don't have many close friends. What do empty-nester moms do? I know Cassie is insensitive, but talking it out with her won't help. She is who she is. -- HURTING IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR HURTING: OK, you say you don't have many close friends and can't work -- but you are well enough that you can go to a gym and volunteer. Now it's time for you to "fly the coop."
The way your daughter is treating you is beyond insensitive -- it's cruel. Instead of being afraid to go into her room you should paint it, redecorate it and rent it. Get out, volunteer, take dancing lessons, join whatever social groups there are in a 50-mile radius. The less time you spend at home the less time you will have to grieve.