#social-boundaries

#social-boundaries

I own a business, and frankly I hate it. It consumes all of my time and energy and I'm trying to figure out a plan to get out. That said, the only thing I hate more than owning and operating my business is TALKING about the business I own and operate. And yet, in any social gathering, people inevitably ask me about how it's going. And no matter how many times I deflect or redirect, inevitably, at the next social gathering, people ask me about it.

For many years, I have been friends with a person who is intellectually disabled. I became acquainted with him and his sister, who cared for him; his sister has now died, and he is living independently. I take him on family camping trips, take him to lunches and dinners and visit with him often, as does the rest of my family. He and my son have developed a solid friendship. After his sister died, his sister's longtime best friend became his legal guardian. She thanks me for the things I do for and with him e.g., Thank you for taking (name) camping, etc. I knew him for years before I ever met her. Is it wrong or petty of me to resent her thank-yous? I do not feel they are necessary, as my friendship with this man is something I chose, not something I am doing out of the goodness of my heart or any other such sentiment. How do I handle this? GENTLE READER: By responding each time with, No, no, it is I who am thankful to have such a good friend.