DEAR ABBY: A few days before my boss's wife gave birth, her father was tragically killed in an airplane accident. I want to congratulate my boss and his wife on the birth of their daughter, but I also want to pay respects to her father's passing. What is the etiquette in this case? -- HAPPY AND SAD IN ITALY
DEAR HAPPY AND SAD: The most diplomatic approach would be to send your congratulations and your condolences separately rather than try to combine them.