A letter writer is wondering why all their long-time friends have started disappearing from their life.

It’s possible that some of your friends are experiencing mental health struggles, while others are going through age-appropriate changes in their capacity for social engagement, and you’re bearing the brunt of all of it.

Dear Eric: Over the past few years, more and more of my longtime friends have vanished from my life. One sent a message reading “I am retired,” and when asked how she was enjoying her retirement, sent the same message repeatedly as her reply.