Dear Annie: I live in a 55-plus community and have met many people and made lots of friends since moving in here. I am not a prude, but I find it very disturbing how the F-bomb and swearing is so prevalent in this community. I’m in my 60s, a Baby Boomer, a Christian and not a sheltered person, but I’m extremely annoyed by this behavior, especially among some of my closest friends. I know I can’t control others, only myself. Do I just ignore this and continue to be appalled (especially when God’s name is used in vain), or do I say something? — A Baby Boomer

Dear Baby Boomer: You’re right about one thing: You can’t control other people’s vocabulary, only your reaction to it.

Before launching a crusade against four-letter words, ask yourself what matters more: cleaner language or comfortable friendships. Most folks don’t swear at you; they simply speak the way they’re used to.

That said, you’re allowed your preferences. With close friends, a gentle word can go a long way: “I know it’s just habit, but that language makes me uncomfortable.”

Some will adjust, and others won’t. Only you can decide whether accepting it is a worthy price to pay for friendship.

Dear Annie: I don’t have a question, but I do have a comment in response to some of the grandparents who write in who are responsible for raising their grandchildren.

Years ago, my oldest daughter became addicted to heroin. One day, I was going to work (at a career I loved) at 59 years old, and the next day I had my grandchildren at my door, ages 3 and 8. My daughter was gone and texted me to ask me to take care of them. I was stunned.

The next day, I went to family court and got full custody. I put up boundaries with my daughter. Long story short, it is a hard role, but I knew that for my grandchildren to survive, I had to be there for them. With tremendous support from family, I survived.

We went seven years at first without seeing my daughter. Then she came back for a few years and now has been gone going on six years — no word from her.

Now my grandkids are 16 and 21. It was hard, but they thrived. They are very respectful and good kids.

I look at how they’ve grown, and I am content at 72 knowing soon they will be on their own and I can relax. To all the grandparents in this situation, hang tight because eventually you will see what all your hard work has done and realize it was a blessing in disguise. — Grateful in the End

Dear Grateful: Your grandchildren didn’t thrive by accident. You gave them stability when their world fell apart, and now you finally get to step back and watch them succeed.

To others in your shoes: It may feel overwhelming now, but the years do pass. The reward isn’t ease, but seeing the children you fought for grow into who they were meant to be.

“Out of Bounds: Estrangement, Boundaries and the Search for Forgiveness” is out now. Annie Lane’s third anthology is for anyone who has lived with anger, estrangement or the deep ache of being wronged — because forgiveness isn’t for them. It’s for you. Go to http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Follow Annie Lane on Instagram at @dearannieofficial. Send questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.