Dear Prudence,
I need help in managing overly concerned neighbors and friends. My beloved husband died about a month ago, and since then I have a fairly steady stream of people who are checking up on me. I really don’t want their company sometimes. I am cleaning out his things to distribute, and there are times I just want to sit and remember him and cry. But if I don’t answer the door inevitably there’s a phone call from someone who just wants to be sure I am OK. I do not have health problems. I work full time. I am not a suicide risk. If I get to a point where I can’t cope with a situation I know how to ask for help. I know that everyone has my best interests at heart, but I need a simple way to tell them to leave me alone for a while.