DEAR ABBY: I caught my husband talking on the phone to another woman. I heard him say, “Get some sleep, sweetheart,” and “Thank you for being my companion.” When I called him on it, he claimed nothing was happening and he had used the wrong words.

I’m hoping that you can help me. My sister and I are distanced from each other. We haven’t spoken since the passing of our mother three years ago. Today I learned that she has been diagnosed with stage-3 cancer.

Whatever caused the rift with your sister, it is clearly more serious than “distancing.” If you put your thoughts and feelings in a letter to her, it will let her know that you love her, are concerned about her diagnosis and ready to do whatever she will allow you to do to help.