LOVE ABBY: Last month, my 7-year-old son was hit by a car while riding his bike on the street. He is fine now. His injuries were minor, though terrible. The police and paramedics responded quickly, and I took my son to the hospital for a full evaluation.
Later that day, a policeman came to our house with our son’s new bicycle, which had been bought by the driver of the car. He gave us a piece of paper with the driver’s insurance information and said something like, “His address is there too, if you want to thank him for the new bike.” It was very good for them. “I was shocked that he would say that.
I guess it was a good move, but he hit my son with a car! The driver admitted that he had been instructed. On this occasion, he said he thought he had hit a dog. I could go on, but suffice it to say that the driver was 100% at fault.
I put the new bike in the garage. My son saw it there and wanted to climb. I stayed put until our insurance money was received, and we went to ride today. The new bike is not as good as his old one, but he is happy with it because it is a different color. I believe he is doing well and is not afraid to ride a bike again. My question is, should I write a thank you letter? If so, can you give me the words? — BIBLE MOTHER IN WASHINGTON
BELOVED MOTHER: I can think of a few choice words, but there is no moral law that requires you to thank the woman for the bike that was destroyed because of her disobedience.
LOVE ABBY: I have a group of friends that I have known for 40 years. As time went on, we differed politically. This was not a problem until recently. Whenever we get together now, they yell at me about my political choices. At first, I tried to defend my position, but I was scolded. Then I explained that I didn’t want to talk about politics, that I respect their right to have different opinions and to please my respect. That only works for a short time. The next time we meet, it’s the same. It’s like they think that if they all talk at the same time, they can convince me. They can’t, and I have no desire to convince them.
It has gotten to the point where I can no longer be comfortable with them, and, apparently, they are not my family, since they are meeting in my absence. I can make new friends, but 40 years is a long time, and I miss it. Is there nothing else I can do to pretend I agree with them, which I don’t? – MISCELLANEOUS AFFAIRS IN NEW YORK
WANTED FOLLOWING STORIES: Since there is nothing else your old friends can do to convince you, the opposite is also true. You have come to a difficult time. Politics aside, these friends are yelling at you and disrespecting your wishes. For your own sake, it may be time to step back and develop friends who are more tolerant than these people.
Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at clj or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.