DEAR ABBY: I am someone who calls friends, but they never call back. When I call, they are happy to hear from me, the conversations are lively and fun, and the friends say they love it when I call. I do not call often, and I don't feel I'm making a nuisance of myself. However, like I said, they DON'T CALL BACK.

I can understand not hearing from newer friends, but I resent not hearing from ones I've had my whole life. I could have died, and they couldn't bother to find out if I'm OK or get an update on my life. I know I should drop them and move on, but I can't. I need help with that. These are people I've never had a cross word with. Something -- it could be an upcoming holiday -- reminds me of them, and I want to make contact. Why do people do this to people they say they love and care about? --PERPLEXED IN FLORIDA

DEAR PERPLEXED: People behave this way because they are stressed, busy or distracted. Most of the time, it isn't personal. Not everyone is a "caller" like you are. If you want to maintain these relationships, you have to be prepared to do the calling. I'm not saying this to be judgmental or to make excuses for them; it's just a fact of life.

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