Dear Annie: Living near toxic family again has me feeling lost

Dear Annie: My family has always been unloving and unkind, and whenever I am around them, I feel sadness.

I moved far away from our hometown so I would not have to face any memory of my childhood.

Well, my husband retired, and he wanted to move back home to be close to his 15 brothers and sisters. I am so lost down here and just really sad that we used everything to get here. What can I do? — Living Near Toxic Family

Dear Living Near Toxic Family: I am sorry that your family was so unkind to you. Just like good fences make for good neighbors, because you live close to your childhood family does not mean that you need to be with them at all. Enjoy your husband and his family and focus on people and places that make you feel good and not sad. Don’t let your family have that power over you anymore. They don’t deserve to take away your joy.

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“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].