Surviving Widowhood with Maggie Montclair

Dear Maggie Montclair,
  I have been widowed for almost five years.  I have many fun friends with whom I share a variety of activities that keep me busy and enjoying life.  I am also blessed with a loving family.  Why am I writing?  Well, I have a son-in-law who is driving us crazy. Me, in particular because he is a hypochondriac and always seeks me out to share all his ailments.  Last week he talked non stop for thirty minutes about his ingrown toenail.
  His own mother laughingly claims that he was born complaining about the temperature of the delivery room!  What can I do to get him to stop this constant talk of his aches and pains?
                                           Sick & Tired of hearing sick & tired

Dear Sick & Tired,
  I think you found the solution when you said, "His own mother laughingly....." LAUGHINGLY being the operative word here.  The next time he seeks you out, you can tell him he has three minutes, or five if you can stand it, to talk about his health.  Listen intently, then tell him the time is up. If he starts in again, smile and put your fingers in your ears.  Tell him your new rule is that no one can talk to you about their health for more than three minutes a day.
  Move away and visit with someone else.  But, most of all, don't take this so seriously.  Laugh it off. If this is your biggest problem, you certainly lead a charmed life.  M

P.S. Gertie says, "Don't take that ingrown toenail lightly.  My cousin's neighbor's barber had an ingrown toenail that got worse and worse until it turned his whole toe black.  It finally fell off----in his sock---- while he was waltzing at his granddaughters wedding."