Beth, unfortunately my visits with my family today were utterly depressing. I would have had a better visit with my father if he was in a literal prison. I had to stand outside a window to talk to him. The facility didn't even have the heart to remove the screen, so it was hard to even see him. Talking by cell phone caused echoes. Then we tried to simply scream to hear through the glass. My dad was so severely nervous and upset that he was on the verge of tears. I just felt sick to my stomach. He asked me when I would visit the US, and I had to be vague. Honestly, I don't want to for at least a year. If something happens to him this year (he's almost 79) today could be the last time... and with no hug. Just a blown kiss through a screened locked/closed window.

Oh, God. That sounds awful. Heartbreaking. I had such high hopes for a wonderful visit for you and your father. I'm so sorry, Soupe.

My brother would only meet outside a restaurant to talk because he was exposed to people with covid. My sister and nephew met us in the restaurant, but it was awkward and sad.

*sigh* Yes. I imagine it was.

My husband's friend begged us to return to his house to stay two more nights. We gave in, but I regret it. I wish we stayed at the hotel.

I would feel the same way.

I feel so sick now that I asked my husband to give an excuse for me to skip dinner and stay in the guest room. I'm depressed about the day, just got bad menstrual cramps, and was outside in the cold so much today that I feel it affected my kidneys (I have kidney damage). Even when we got to his friend's house his friend insisted we take a walk. I tried to refuse, but gave in because it seemed rude to. His friend's wife had a jaw procedure. I can't imagine she truly wants us here, but their insistence was so extreme they made it hard to refuse.

Any chance you can back out of the 2 nights - or at least tomorrow night? Kidney issues would be a valid reason...

Their house is so reeking of garlic that it worsens my stomach upset and tortures my husband who is allergic to that ingredient. I am not, but never having garlic, the scent is almost toxic. Plus, she must have used 10 cloves and burnt it, to boot. I'm irritable, to be sure, but if you know a person is allergic to such a thing, why would you welcome them with enough of its stench to seep in through your skin, like via osmosis. It is in the whole house, and they have a huge one.

Oh, no! The garlic people again?! Uggghhhh. Soupe, you're under a monstrous amount of stress and pressure. I wish you didn't have to spend your last night having to socialize. AND put up with the garlicky environment, you know? It would be optimal if you board that plane well-rested and well-fed without an upset system.