DEAR ABBY: My wife and I are 70, married 44 years and have one adult child. My wife has four friends she meets for coffee once a month. One of them mentioned at the gathering how proud I am of our son, who has lost 80 pounds due to a disciplined change in his lifestyle. My wife was embarrassed that I told her friend. I thought it was a good thing. My wife said it made her look bad in the eyes of her friends, who all portray their children as without-blemish-perfect. I told my wife I thought she was very insecure. I am confused about her reaction. Can you give me any insight? -- IT'S A GOOD THING
DEAR GOOD THING: You did nothing wrong. Your son's achievement is significant and to be applauded. Your wife may have preferred her friends not know that her son had a severe weight problem, although if they are all "good" friends and any of them had seen him, it would have been obvious. Not knowing your wife, I can't offer more insight than that.