Asking Eric: My neighbor thinks I'm dead. How do I clear this up without scaring her?
Briefly

A neighbor sent a sympathy card to someone who is alive, mistakenly believing they had died. The person recently underwent surgery for stage IV renal cell cancer. They contemplated contacting the neighbor but found no opportunity due to her absence. The response suggests viewing the note as a gift and recommends sending a thank-you text to express appreciation for the thoughtful gesture while clarifying their well-being. This response highlights the value of being remembered in life and acknowledges potential cognitive issues that may have led to the misunderstanding.
"Odd as this was, what a gift to be able to read the kinds of loving statements about oneself that are often only shared after one's passing."
"A simple text to say that you're doing well, you saw her lovely note and that you appreciate the thought could clear the air and reinforce how wonderful it is to be remembered, even when we're still actively making new memories."
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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