DEAR ABBY: I am concerned about my daughter. She’s in a nice relationship, which seems good. They have two beautiful sons, ages 4 and 2, good jobs, a nice home and nice families who show a lot of support. We are always there for one another. My concern is that my daughter’s partner will not […]
Dear Abby
A poem of forgiveness continues to resonate
DEAR ABBY: While doing some house cleaning, I came across a column of yours that I had clipped and tucked away. On one of the pages I had dog-eared was the poem, “Decide to Forgive.” I was struck by how timely it is. The message is much needed at this time. I believe in “doing […]
Wife of an alcoholic is ready to throw in the towel
DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 27 years. Most of them have been miserable. My husband has been a functioning alcoholic for more than 40 years. I consider his behavior emotionally abusive. I hate my home. My kids (22, 19 and 17) don’t want me to leave him. I live in my bedroom all […]
Frustrated spouse has made healthy changes alone
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I went for our annual checkups seven months ago. We were both overweight and told by our respective doctors that we needed to make some lifestyle changes to improve our health. Since that time, I have made the needed changes. As a result, I have lost 40 pounds, and all […]
Daughter’s gravestone is damaged by relative’s decoration
DEAR ABBY: We lost our 16-year-old daughter two years ago to leukemia. It’s been a difficult two years. I am writing to ask if there are rules of etiquette for visiting a loved one at the cemetery? We go regularly. I decorate the area in front of her stone with holiday or seasonally appropriate decorations. […]
Relatives’ penchant for tall tales is driving sibling away
DEAR ABBY: I find myself increasingly less patient with my oldest brother and older sister. They lie incessantly about things they have accomplished, always making themselves out to be the best. It frustrates me to hear them say things that are not true. For example, while dining in a restaurant, my brother told a group […]
I have been married for 47 years. My wife has suffered from mental illness for more than half our marriage.
During her manic period, her actions toward me were just too much. I can never love her again or want her as my wife. She has taken up cigar smoking, and while she doesn’t smoke in the house her clothes reek when she comes inside. I’m just her caretaker, and my life is miserable. I […]
Woman’s high school reunions always open old wounds
DEAR ABBY: This year was our high school class’s 50th reunion. My husband and I graduated together from the same school. We have attended every reunion, and at each one of them received the same reactions from classmates. They always talk to my husband, shake his hand or hug him, but look at my name […]
New neighbor gets more than the usual ‘welcome wagon’
DEAR ABBY: I’m a gay man living in a predominantly straight community. About a year ago, a married couple moved in. One day, the husband asked me to come over and help him put a table together, which I did. He thanked me by opening a bottle of wine. Then he asked me what turns […]
Change is in the air for longtime client
DEAR ABBY: I have been seeing a hairstylist for a decade. During the last couple of years, I don’t feel I’ve gotten the service I deserve. I go in for a trim about every two months (sometimes longer to save money). She is extremely busy and sometimes delegates “green” hairstylists to wash and blow-dry my […]