Recently I dreamt that a woman, about age 50, was walking by me. I’m 80.

I said, "You’re very attractive, do you want to go out with me?" She agreed. I asked if she’s married, she said she is. Then I woke up.

Although I’m not religious, I consider it immoral to be intimate with a married woman (I’m a widower).

But what if her significant other was another woman, would it be okay with their permission, for me to make it a threesome?

Then there’s the LGBTQ2 community… although I believe/defend that people have every right to choose their social lifestyle I don’t want to be trapped in a male-to-male relationship.

Troubled by the Future

I’ve used your question not to delve into interpreting dreams, but to address the underlying confusion you have about the present and concern for the future.

First, know that people within the LGBTQ2 community don’t just “choose” a social lifestyle. There’s sexual identity and preference involved, and you’re unlikely to be “trapped” within a gay relationship.

But you’re correct about the future providing alarms. Worry about, and stand up against: Bigotry, racism, anti-immigrant prejudice, climate change that can spark widespread fires, devastating floods, sudden tornados, and numbing ice storms.

Worry about leaders of political parties, provinces/states and nations, who put their political and personal gain first, who bend the truth and/or lie outright, and threaten the peace, health and freedoms of the generations you’ve spawned.

Better to be counted, then to just be afraid.

Reader’s Commentary “When we moved into this condominium, we befriended an elderly couple. We shared meals, outings, and visits. The wife joined me in taking music classes, then lost interest. One day, she suddenly accused me of borrowing her music books without returning them.

“The books were purchased by me long before, but she couldn’t be convinced of my innocence. I scanned some of my music and created a booklet for her. She was delighted, and all was well.

“Next, she was clearing some clothing and offered me a linen suit, but it wasn’t my size. She seemed annoyed and left. I didn't hear from her for weeks, so I called her. She then accused me of swearing at her (the “f” word) when she left with her linen suit.

“My mother (and father) had developed dementia and behaved similarly. She accused me of many awful things, none of which I'd done. Her social workers called it "confabulation." We developed some strategies to protect ourselves, including to never visit except in pairs.

“This elderly neighbor was exhibiting the same behaviours and couldn’t be convinced that she was mistaken. We stopped seeing them, mainly to protect our reputation. It’s sad… but seems the only way to avoid such situations in a building full of very elderly residents that one doesn't know very well.”

Ellie – I was with you until your conclusion that very elderly neighbours may need to be avoided.

In fact, they need more patience, empathy and gentle socialization than ever, though in different ways from before. Just sitting together for short periods – whether listening to music (even singing along) or talking about their life in the past, or just sharing a cup of tea together.

There’s not too much chance for confrontations due to confusion/dementia, when you’re just being caring company. But if you do suspect mental health deterioration, the crucial response is to alert their family or their doctor, if at all possible.

FEEDBACK Regarding the parents whose two adult children didn’t invite their sibling (the third child) to their Christmas dinner (Dec. 15):

Reader – “My grandparents had 40 grandchildren. Then spouses and great-grandchildren came along.

‘It was decided to rent a hall to accommodate Christmas dinners. Parents would take turns organizing the event with everyone bringing assigned food and relieving the aging grandparents of the responsibility

“This event usually happened one or two weeks before Christmas.”

Ellie – I’ve known a family who does this and it’s the highlight of their year, as even faraway relatives travel to see so many of their relatives, and children delight in the many cousins they don’t get to see regularly.

The parents in the original column couldn’t host this year due to renovations. Their grown children who excluded a sibling exhibited how little goodwill they had, even at Christmas… not positive this would work with them, but worth trying.