KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR \ Annie's Mailbox Annual physical was fine, but he still got Viagra
Dear Annie: My 70-year-old husband recently had his annual physical. His report came back perfect. Yet, my husband of 47 years came home with a prescription for Viagra.
I am angry. I maintain that I had a right to be included in this decision. He says I am "way off base and it's no big deal." Is he right? Do physicians routinely prescribe Viagra to 70-year-old men with no questions regarding the support of their wives on this issue?
I would like to hear from other older women in similar circumstances. Married to the Old Goat in Virginia
Dear Married to the Old Goat: If your husband told his doctor that he suffered from impotency, it's unlikely the doctor would have asked you for your opinion. The question is, why didn't your husband discuss this with you first?
Many older men want to feel virile and young and think Viagra is the answer. Unfortunately, not all wives are happy about the additional stress this can put on their sex lives. You and your husband need to clear the air about his expectations, as well as yours. You're overdue for a long discussion.
Dear Annie: Two years ago, my darling 35-year-old daughter, "Celine," became engaged. There was no money for a ring, so I offered her a diamond that had been in my family for years. Celine and her fiance had the diamond reset into a beautiful engagement ring. She paid for this herself.
Several months later, Celine canceled the engagement. She recently became engaged to someone else, and this man presented her with his grandmother's ring, which is gorgeous and has several diamonds.
I asked Celine if she would return the diamond I had given her, and I offered to replace it with another stone of her choice in the same setting. She went absolutely berserk. She carried on so viciously about returning the "gift" that I had to ask her politely to leave. In my driveway, on her way out, she let loose with an obscenity that totally devastated me. We haven't spoken since.
My husband and other children are supportive of me and believe Celine should have offered to return the diamond when the first engagement ended. I am terribly torn up by this and miss my daughter. What can I do? Distressed Mom in Florida
Dear Mom: Celine ought to be ashamed of herself for such selfish, childish behavior. However, while it would have been thoughtful to return the diamond, she apparently thought it was a gift without strings. If you expected otherwise, you should have made the conditions clear to her at the time.
It's sad that Celine values the diamond more than her mother, but you obviously love her. Would she have inherited this ring someday? If so, it is a small price to pay for reconciling with your daughter. Call and tell her so.
Dear Annie: When making an introduction, who gets introduced first? I've been told that the younger person is introduced to the senior, but saying, "Becky Sue, I'd like you to meet Mrs. Farnsworth," seems to snub the older person.
I'd feel more comfortable saying, "Mrs. Farnsworth, I'd love you to meet my daughter, Becky Sue." What is the right answer? Broad Brook, Conn.
Dear Broad Brook: Your instincts are correct, but you misunderstand what it means "to introduce to." The younger person is introduced to the elder by saying, "Mrs. Smith, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Becky. Becky, this is Mrs. Smith." (How civilized of you to inquire.)
XE-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@com-cast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox™, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, Ill. 60611.
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