RELATIONSHIPS June 27, 2005 Issue

WHEN FAMILY TIES ARE TESTED

EARLEEN BAILEY

AFTER WEEKS of frustrating interactions with adult family members, I decided half in jest to divorce them. This came after I had offered my help on a special project, and my help had been accepted, then rejected.

Communications were strained. Without anyone knowing anything about my decision, I decided to quietly pull back from our close relationships, to keep contacts to a minimum, and to try to forge ahead in building a separate life.

It didn't work. In fact, it seemed as though there were even more occasions to be together. My underlying frustrations grew. I wondered, "Why is it that there seems to be so little respect for the wisdom that often comes from experience?" I only wished to make some aspects of their lives easier, better . . . more responsible.