Clashing with a Long-time Friend

Friends,

I have one friend who I've known for 35 years.

She is a wonderful lady, and has been a very loyal friend and encourager.

She has been blind since the age of four, and is remarkably strong and independent.

She lost her older sibling at the end of March. Many of you prayed for her at that time. My friend is 79, and her sister was just a few years older.

She's probably just hurting herself, but it feels like she talks to me like I'm stupid. Already posting about this has been therapeutic. My mother was much older than me (39 when she gave birth to me), and she used to talk to me like I was stupid quite often. It's an old hurt.

My friend suddenly seems like a know-it-all and a showboat of sorts. I never noticed this before.

I think I just need to call less often, but I worry about her because she lives near New York City, and sometimes has to take her seeing eye dog out at all sorts of hours of the day.

I try to be kind and supportive of her, and then a lot of times I just wind up feeling run over by her.

One of her favorite phrases is, "It's just common sense." She's a black and white thinker, as was my mother. I'm a gray thinker and like to discuss things.

Maybe it's just the holiday blues starting early. I'm sure glad Jesus was humble and obedient enough to come to earth as a baby and human being, so we could all be given the opportunity to be saved, but I sure hate the holidays. Do you think it could be because my family is dwindling?

Hugs and feedback will be gratefully received.

EJ

(((((((( EJ )))))))))

Well, it could be the holiday blues. If you have known your friend for 35 years (bravo for that!) could you just gently let her know you are feeling a little sensitive/low and ask her to not talk to you as though you don't know anything. Maybe you could ask her if she has something worrying her and in sharing things you can both get back on track.

EJ
So sorry to hear you're having a hard time. a friendship that has lasted 35yrs is a testament to you both. you are probably right that she is just grieving her loss and maybe not sensitive to your feelings right now.
as far as the holidays go....I can already feel the blues settling in. I'm trying to prepare so that I don't get caught in the duldrums.
I personally don't have alot of family and what I do have is far away or struggling with their own issues that the holidays often leave me feeling quite lonely.

here are some hugs for you

shawn

(((((EJ)))))

has she always been this way or more recently? maybe something to do with her age. I would probably back up a little and not talk to her quite as much. you gotta take care of yourself first hon.

Bee,

Thanks!

I was wondering about the age issue. Thank you for giving me permission to back-up some.

With her seeing-eye dog in the hospital I have had a hard time doing this, and miraculously last night my friend was very sweet to me when I called. PTL, because I was dead tired after teaching, and making my three-hour roundtrip to campus.

Our weather is changing. Our beautiful fall weather couldn't last forever. They are saying we might have snow on Tuesday.

EJ