It started off casual. Hey. Hello. Stuff like that. Then, the "I miss you" line. Controlling the conversation, I remind him that he lives two blocks away and he can stop by anytime he wants (he and his wife bought a house two years ago). I asked him what he's been up to and he told me about a cruise he went on. After the NORMAL convo stuff, he said the magic words I heard all weekend: "Well, we miss seeing you at the meetings." Again, I said I miss him too and the he is welcome to visit me anytime. I gave him no hints or misleadings that I would try to visit him AT THE KH. If these folks TRULY miss me then they can come visit me OR invite me to dinner or a movie.
If you only miss me when I'm NOT at the meetings, then you don't really miss me. Save your UN-genuine love for the sucker down the street.
Hey Brian! Ok, I can just hear both your voices in my head so clearly, LOL. Now, what I want to know is at any time did he ever ask you if anything was wrong? what happened, etc. Although, I think early on, they don't want to ask those type of questions, hoping you are just going through a phaze, and you'll be back.
PS...I also received a letter from a 50ish year-old sister who wrote that she misses seeing me at the meetings but she asked that I not write back because she won't be able to bear the weight I might lay on her (regarding why I'm not attending).
Oh my! I got a couple of those "guilt" trips, too!
Doesn't it feel invigorating to have all the control now?!
Leslie