When it comes to other people’s relationships, we should mind our own business. Having lived long enough to see what has happened with various people I’ve known over many years, however, I would caution anyone about cutting family members out of their lives without first trying to get some resolution or at least letting them know why. Ghosting people who love you, even if you can no longer have them around you, is harsh. If they beat you or sexually abused you, they know why. If they hurt your feelings or didn’t let you have animals growing up or don’t like your partner, they may have no idea why.

Trixie’s family seems to care about her and perhaps worries if she’s dead or alive. I know someone who dropped out of sight and won’t contact his family because he’s ashamed of how messed up his life is. I have another friend whose daughter became an addict and distanced herself from her family. She doesn’t want to be around them, but she checks in at Christmas and birthdays so they know she’s still alive. Her mother has learned to live with that.