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Dear Annie: My wife, who is 62, has always been insecure about her weight, even though I’ve never once cared or thought she needed to change anything. A few months ago, she decided on her own to start a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, and she’s doing it under a doctor’s supervision. She’s thrilled with the results so far. I’m happy she’s happy, but I can’t shake the feeling that she’s the guinea pig for a drug that’s still fairly new. What if there are long-term side effects nobody’s caught yet? I’ve mentioned this to her once, and she brushed it off. Am I overthinking this? -- Second-Guessing Husband
Dear Second-Guessing: Your caution is reasonable. Newer drugs can carry unknowns that only surface with time, and wanting more certainty before your wife commits is vigilant, not paranoid.
But this was her call, made with a doctor watching her numbers. You’ve said your piece once, and she heard it and chose to go ahead anyway. Repeating the concern won’t give her new information; it’ll just start to sound like doubt in her judgment.
Dear Annie: Over 50 years ago, I left home to pursue my teaching career some 1,700 miles away. I’ve had a wonderful life, save for one thing: I feel ignored by my family.
I haven’t had nearly any visits from them. One sister came to see me in 1977. She’s traveled the world since but visited here just once. My brother came in 1983 -- a trip I paid for -- and said he’d rather visit a larger city five hours away, again at my expense, because there was nothing exciting to do where I live. Another sister visited for a morning when her cruise ship was diverted nearby due to a storm.
The one bright spot was my mother, who visited more than the three of them combined. Our bond grew even stronger than it already was, and she shared secrets with me that she never told my siblings. I’m thankful for that.
Meanwhile, I made at least 28 trips to see my family. It was always presumed I would “come home.” I addressed this more than once, but it went in one ear and out the other. My only surviving sibling is now too infirm to travel, so I’ve given up on her ever visiting.
All I wanted was to show them how well my life had turned out. I guess my reason for writing is to ask if I’m justified in feeling a bit bitter. Your thoughts, please. -- Good Life Never Acknowledged
Dear Good Life: After 28 trips home and so little effort in return, you have every right to feel hurt. You wanted your family to take an interest in the life you built, and too often, they simply didn’t show up.
But justified or not, bitterness won’t give you what you wanted. Hold onto what you did get: a wonderful life and an even closer relationship with your mother. Your family may never fully appreciate the life you built, and that’s their loss. Don’t let bitterness spoil the life you’re proud of.
“Out of Bounds: Estrangement, Boundaries and the Search for Forgiveness” is out now! Annie Lane’s third anthology is for anyone who has lived with anger, estrangement or the deep ache of being wronged -- because forgiveness isn’t for them. It’s for you. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Follow Annie Lane on Instagram at @dearannieofficial. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM