Dear Abby: Its been 50 years should I reach out to the one that got away?

DEAR ABBY: I am a widower aged 72, and I’m wondering if it would be inappropriate to contact an old girlfriend from my college days.Yes, it has been more than 50 years, and she is married with grown children.

I’m just wondering what your position is on this. It would be nice to talk and catch up on our lives, etc.She lives 400 miles from where I do, but I would like to speak with her and talk about our lives.

Since we both are in our early 70s, there’s obviously not a lot of time left.— CATCHING UP IN GEORGIADEAR CATCHING UP: My position is don’t dip your hook in the water unless you plan to keep whatever you catch.

Your old girlfriend is a married woman with a family.If your motive is to simply sing a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne,” go ahead and reach out.

If you are lonely and there is anything more to it, then don’t.DEAR ABBY: Some relatives come once or twice a year from out of state to stay at my in-laws’ house.For the past 20-plus years, it has been the same routine.

They show up, but we never know ahead of time when or how long they are staying.We are expected to drop everything to go over there to visit with them as long as they are in town.

There are no plans and no schedule; we just sit around waiting for them to decide what they want to do. I’m so tired of it.I would prefer knowing ahead of time so I won’t have to cancel my previous plans when they show up.

It’s nice to chat, but I’d like to know beforehand that they are coming so I can meet them for a meal or activity rather than sit for hours.Can I make this request now that it has been going on for so long? — BURDENED IN THE MIDWESTDEAR BURDENED: Yes, you can make your wishes known.

What you are proposing is common sense and common courtesy.Tell these relatives you love seeing them but would like some advance notice when they plan to be in town so you can adjust your schedule and take them somewhere rather than sit for hours at your in-laws’.

It’s entirely possibl...