Dear Abby: Falling out with best friend burns the last bridge

The Cutthroat Politics of Friendship and the Unfair Burden of Trauma

A 50-year friendship ended abruptly when a former high school classmate turned against her best friend over politics, revealing a painful family secret: the friend's father had died by suicide. The parting shot was a cruel reminder that their connection had been based on the friend's mother's sympathy for the girl's father's tragic passing.

The pain of this betrayal is compounded by the fact that the woman in question had always been there for her friend during difficult times, serving as a confidante and support system. Now, she finds herself struggling to come to terms with the harsh words and actions of someone who was once a source of comfort and friendship.

This case highlights the dangers of using traumatic experiences to manipulate relationships or as a wedge issue in politics. The fact that the friend had thrived despite her family's relocation and other challenges only adds to the sense of betrayal, emphasizing that no one should use someone else's pain for their own gain.

In contrast, a couple is struggling with dysfunction in their relationship due to an entitled and mouthy brother-in-law who lives in their small home. The wife refuses to stand up to him, leaving her feeling resentful and trapped in the house she shares with her partner. This case underscores the importance of setting boundaries and advocating for oneself, particularly when it comes to issues like noise levels or personal space.

Lastly, a heartfelt letter from a veteran expresses gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by families while serving in the military. The outpouring of love and respect for those who have served their country is a testament to the enduring bonds between people.

These stories remind us that relationships are complex and multifaceted, often involving difficult choices and hard truths. By acknowledging our emotions and seeking support from loved ones or professionals, we can navigate these challenges with greater ease and find closure, even in the face of betrayal and heartache.
 
πŸ€• I'm so sorry to hear about the 50-year friendship that ended like that... it's crazy how something as powerful as politics (or a family secret) can just come crashing down on your whole life. 🀯 The parting shot is devastating, especially since she was always there for him during tough times. It makes you wonder if he had any idea what he was doing to her. I think it's super important that we acknowledge our emotions and seek help when needed... relationships can be so complicated, but with the right support, we can get through anything πŸ’•
 
πŸ€• I feel so bad for that friend who was hurt by someone she thought was her sister in spirit... like 50 years of friendship can just get cut off over politics? 😱 And now she's got to deal with the trauma on top of that... it's no wonder she's struggling to come to terms with what happened. πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ I'm also frustrated for her friend who's feeling resentful and trapped in her own home, but at least she's trying to set boundaries! πŸ’ͺ And I love that veteran's letter, it's amazing how one small act of gratitude can go such a long way... we should all take a page out of their book and show some appreciation for the sacrifices others make for us. πŸ™
 
πŸ€• I feel so bad for that girl who got dumped by her best friend over politics... like, they'd been friends since high school! It's crazy how something as serious as a person's dad dying from suicide can be used against them like that 🚫. And what really gets me is that she was always there for him when he needed someone to talk to πŸ˜”.

It's also wild how some people think they can just manipulate relationships for their own gain, using others' pain and struggles as a way to get ahead πŸ€‘. But at the same time, I'm like, what about all the times she did stand up for her friend when it mattered? Wasn't that enough? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ

I feel like we need to be more empathetic towards people who've been hurt in the past and just want someone to understand them 🀝. And also, can we talk about how toxic entitlement can ruin relationships?! That brother-in-law is seriously messed up πŸ˜’.

But overall, I think these stories are a reminder that relationships are hard and messy, but if we're willing to have tough conversations and set boundaries, we might just find some closure and healing πŸ’•.
 
I FEEL SO BAD FOR THE LADY WHO WAS BETRAYED BY HER FRIEND OVER POLITICS!!! πŸ€• IT'S LIKE, YOU THINK YOU HAVE A DEEP AND MEANINGFUL FRIENDSHIP, BUT REALLY IT'S JUST ABOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EMOTIONS. IT'S TIME WE STOP USING TRAUMA AS A TOOLS TO MANIPULATE OTHERS!!! 😑 AND I FEEL FOR THE WIFE IN THAT OTHER SCENARIO TOO, SHE DESERVES BETTER THAN TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT BY HER BROTHER-IN-LAW!!! πŸ™„ AND KUDOS TO THE VETERAN WHO WROTE THAT HEARTFELT LETTER, IT'S ABOUT TIME WE SHOW SOME LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR FAMILIES WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY!!! πŸ’•
 
I'm so torn about this whole thing... 🀯 Like, you gotta feel bad for the girl who got totally blindsided by her friend's classmate, but at the same time, isn't it kinda true that their friendship was built on sympathy? I mean, didn't they both know that their connection was a bit weird from the get-go? πŸ’”

And don't even get me started on the dude with his brother-in-law drama πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ. Like, I get it, setting boundaries is important, but can't the wife just have a calm conversation with him about how his mouthiness is stressing her out? πŸ™„ It's not like she's asking for much... just some peace and quiet in her own home.

But then there's this veteran's letter... πŸ™. That one really gets me. I mean, it's amazing to see people coming together with love and respect for those who served our country. But at the same time, isn't that what we're saying about everyone else too? Like, can't we all just get along and support each other without all the drama and heartache? πŸ€”

Ugh, I'm so confused now... πŸ˜‚
 
πŸ€• I mean, seriously, who uses a friend's grief as leverage to screw over their own friendship? That's like playing the ultimate emotional lottery ticket 🎲. And on a separate note, is it too much to ask for some basic boundaries in a shared living space? Like, personal space and not being talked over by your entitled brother-in-law? πŸ˜©πŸ‘€
 
πŸ˜” this is so messed up how can someone use a friend's family tragedy to get under their skin? πŸ€• it just shows that people are willing to hurt others for their own gain. we need more stories like the veteran's letter where love and respect prevail πŸ’•πŸ‘
 
πŸ€” I'm so over people using others' trauma for their own gain πŸ™„ like this one high school classmate who just used her friend's mom's feelings to manipulate the friendship. That's some messed up stuff πŸ’” And can we talk about how toxic it is when someone uses noise levels or personal space as a way to control someone? Like, hello boundaries are a thing 🚫 I'm also loving the letter from that veteran though, that's some real patriotism and respect right there πŸ™
 
πŸ˜” I feel so bad for this girl who lost her friend over politics πŸ€•. It's like, they'd been through so much together and now it all gets taken away by someone's bitter opinion πŸ’”. And to make matters worse, it's a super personal family secret that was exploited to hurt the girl πŸ’₯.

I think we need to talk about how toxic politics can be in friendships 🀝. We should never use each other's pain for our own gain 🚫. And honestly, I'm tired of seeing people being treated like they're disposable just because someone disagrees with them πŸ‘Ž.

But at the same time, it's also super important to set boundaries and prioritize your own emotional well-being πŸ’ͺ. If you're feeling trapped in a situation that's sucking the life outta you, it's time to take a stand and advocate for yourself πŸ—£οΈ. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not worthy of love or respect πŸ’•.

And I gotta say, those stories about veterans and their families? Absolutely heartwarming ❀️. It's a reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always room for love and appreciation 🌈.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about people having to deal with this stuff πŸ€•. It's like, your best friend is supposed to be someone you can always count on, but instead they just stab you in the back over politics or something stupid 😑. And it's even worse when it's not just a one-time thing, but a pattern of behavior that leaves you feeling used and betrayed.

It makes me think that we need to take a step back and think about how our actions can affect others, especially during tough times πŸ€”. We should be supporting each other, not trying to use people's pain for our own gain πŸ’”. And when we do encounter someone who's being toxic or selfish, it's time to set some boundaries and prioritize our own well-being πŸ‘Š.

These stories are really eye-opening and make me grateful for my own relationships where we can be open and honest with each other πŸ’•. We need more of that kind of support and love in our lives πŸŒˆπŸ’—
 
πŸ€• u know how sometimes friendships just fall apart like that πŸ˜”? it's so hard to deal with when u thought u had someone's back 4 life 🀝 but i guess some ppl r just too messed up 2 care about others' feelings 🚫 anyway, gotta admit, these stories r really hit home πŸ“Ί especially the part about trauma & manipulation... like, no one should ever use someone else's pain 2 get what they want πŸ’” btw, have u seen this vid on trauma & its effects? [www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ) πŸ‘‰
 
Ugh, I'm so done with people using others' trauma to manipulate them 🀯. Like, if someone's just being honest about something that hurts, it shouldn't be used against you. It's one thing to have a disagreement, but using someone's emotional pain as ammo is just cruel πŸ’”.

And can we talk about how toxic it is to not stand up for yourself? I feel like the woman in the second story is basically letting her entitled brother-in-law walk all over her πŸ™„. Like, if you don't want him around, do something about it! Don't let him make you feel like you're trapped in your own home.

On a more positive note, that letter from the veteran was really moving ❀️. It's amazing how much love and respect we can show to people who have served our country just by listening to their stories and showing appreciation πŸ™.
 
πŸ˜” politics & friendship can be super toxic, feels like people will use anything to control each other's emotions 🀯 and then just ghost you when it's convenient for them. trauma is already hard enough to deal with, no need to make it personal or used as a weapon πŸ’”

i got a friend who's stuck in a situation with an entitled family member too 🚫 its like they're not even trying to listen or compromise, just always demanding their way and making everyone else feel bad about themselves. it's so draining 😩 and i think we need to prioritize setting boundaries and taking care of ourselves before we can fix the problem.

anyway, kudos to that veteran who wrote such a beautiful letter πŸ™ its amazing how grateful people are when you remind them of the sacrifices made for our country ❀️
 
I'm so done with people using others' traumas as leverage to control relationships πŸ€―πŸ’”. It's like, you're already taking advantage of someone's vulnerability, now you're exploiting their pain? No thanks! We need to create a culture where people can support each other without manipulating or playing on emotions.

And don't even get me started on entitlement πŸ™„. This brother-in-law is basically holding the whole household hostage with his constant noise complaints and personal space invasions. It's like, you're not the one paying the mortgage, buddy! Where's the empathy for those who have to live with him?

On a more positive note, it's awesome to see people coming together to support our veterans πŸ™. We need to show some love and appreciation for those who've made sacrifices for our country. It's a reminder that relationships are complex, but with open communication and mutual respect, we can navigate even the toughest challenges πŸ’•.
 
I'm shocked by how common it is for people to use their friends' trauma as a way to manipulate them. It's like they think they own that person's emotional bank account and can just drain it whenever they feel like it 🀯😑 I've seen it happen in my own friendships, where someone will bring up an old hurt or issue and expect you to drop everything for them. Newsflash: no one owes you their friendship, and if you're using someone else's pain to get what you want, that's a red flag 🚨
 
I'm so done with people using others' trauma for their own gain 🀯. It's like they think it's okay to take advantage of someone's pain just to score points or get ahead. Newsflash: it's never okay! πŸ’” And what really gets me is when someone who was always there for you suddenly turns on you, leaving you feeling all the feels 😭. It's like, can't we all just be kind and understanding towards each other? πŸ€—

And then I saw this story about a woman struggling with an entitled brother-in-law and it made me think... what even is entitlement? Is it just being selfish or rude, or is there more to it than that? πŸ€” And honestly, setting boundaries is so hard when you feel like the other person might get hurt if you say no πŸ’β€β™€οΈ.

But you know what's really cool? When people come together to show love and respect for those who have served our country πŸ™. That's what I want more of in my life – genuine connections, kindness, and understanding ❀️.
 
🀯 People gotta think twice before bringin up someone's personal trauma just 2 stir drama or win an election πŸš«πŸ’”. It's low, it's cruel & it's hurtful 2 those who've already bled enough πŸ’€. We need more empathy & less politickin' in friendships & relationships ❀️.
 
I'm still trying to figure out how a 50-year friendship can just "end" like that 🀯. Like, what's next? You're going to tell me that another friend is just going to cut you off after 20 years because I ate the last slice of pizza at a potluck? πŸ˜‚ Just saying.

On a more serious note, this whole thing makes me so angry that people would use others' trauma for their own gain 🀬. It's like, can't we all just be decent human beings and support each other during hard times? I feel so bad for the friend who was betrayed by someone she thought was her rock πŸ’”.

And can we talk about setting boundaries in relationships for a sec? Like, if you're living with your partner and their entitled brother-in-law is being a total jerk, isn't it time to have a chat πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ? I mean, I get that it's hard, but sometimes you just gotta stand up for yourself (and your sanity).

Anyway, to all the veterans out there, thank you for your service and sacrifices πŸ’•. Your bravery is something we can all learn from, even if it's just a letter expressing gratitude πŸ“¨.
 
I'm so sad to hear about people going through this πŸ˜”. It's like they say, you can't choose your family, but it seems like some people take advantage of that bond for their own gain πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ. I think we need to be more empathetic and understanding when relationships go sour, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like politics or trauma πŸ’”. It's okay to disagree with someone, but using hurtful words or actions is never the answer πŸ™…β€β™‚οΈ. And can you believe some people still don't know how to respect boundaries? Like, hello, personal space and quiet time are not too much to ask for 😩.
 
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