DEAR ABBY: My son died two months ago. He was 51. It happened on my daughter's birthday. She says that her birthdays have now stopped.
Next year will be a milestone for her as she will be turning 50. How in the world do we celebrate her 50th birthday when we will be thinking about the one-year anniversary of her brother's death? Some friends suggested we have her birthday celebration a few days early, which I feel is not right. Please help. -- CAROLE IN ARIZONA
DEAR CAROLE: I'm sorry for the loss of your son. From now on, your daughter's birthday will likely always be bittersweet for her as well as you. That's why I think she should take your friends' suggestion and separate the two events, if possible. A small family get-together around the anniversary date of your son's death might be more appropriate for everyone, at least this time around.