Life Advice
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Asking Eric: Two sons vie to house parents
Dear Eric: I am finding that I don’t much like getting older. My husband and I have just learned that we need to be closer to medical help, so we must sell our current home, which we love, and move.
We have two sons, both of whom we love dearly, who each want us to build a little home on their property so we can be close enough that they can ...Read more
Girlfriend Doesn't Want To Use Location Sharing
DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend of six months wants me to share my location with him, and I'm not so sure I want to do that. I know lots of families, friends and couples do this for safety, but I don't feel comfortable sharing this because I am a grown 35-year-old woman. I don't think anyone should be allowed to stalk my location. I told my ...Read more
Is This An 'if You're On Time, You're Late' Thing?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am confused on the proper time to arrive at an event or social function, whether in private homes or public venues.
When attending an event like a concert, play, church service or something else in a public space, I understand the announced time is when the event starts, and that you should arrive early enough to be in your...Read more
Does Forgiveness Fix All?
Dear Annie: Most often a cheating husband or wife causes the divorce. Most would want to end their marriage after finding their partner cheated. And most people would advise the offended partner to leave.
This is most of what I read in people's letters and people's responses to you.
But it doesn't have to be like that. Actually, it can be one ...Read more
Wife's Dream Trip Wouldn't Include Her Grumpy Husband
DEAR ABBY: I have just retired and want to spend the summer taking a long road trip from Florida to Alaska and back. I've dreamed about it all my life and finally have the time and money to do it.
My husband hates long road trips, and I don't want to take him. He would be miserable and make me miserable in the process. Further, he has a list of...Read more
Anxious Thoughts Continue To Intrude
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been struggling with anxiety for years now. As those who experience anxiety know, it ebbs and flows depending on a plethora of factors both in and out of my control. My anxious thoughts stem from a childhood with many unexpected and uncontrollable changes. As a result, feeling unsure or not being able to predict what's ...Read more
Guests Never Compliment My Cooking
DEAR MISS MANNERS: For years, I have entertained and loved every moment of it. But lately, when having people over, they just spend time talking about restaurants they have been to and what a wonderful experience it was.
I am a good cook, school-trained, and take pride in what I serve. I am fed up with nobody making comments about what I have ...Read more
Asking Eric: Sister read and mocked stolen childhood journals
Dear Eric: I grew up in a silent household. I was a shamed, rejected kid and learned not to speak. One sister was the beautiful favorite. My brother and I were shamed, and we feared our father.
Our divorced mom apparently stole and kept some of my childhood journals. She put them in her desk. When we cleared out mom's home after she died, the ...Read more
Not Looking to Cause a Stir
Dear Annie: I have a family problem for which I would appreciate your opinion. My wife and I are Americans living in a small village in Italy, in an area popular with tourists. Recently, I contacted my sister and her husband from the States and expressed our interest in having them visit us and stay at our house, since we haven't seen them for ...Read more
Jeanne Phillips Bids Adieu As 'Dear Abby' Endures
DEAR READERS: As anyone who reads "Dear Abby" knows, I have always stressed the importance of writing thank-you notes. It is now time for me to put pen to paper. I have always considered you, my readers, to be my friends. Thank you for accepting me as warmly as you always have and thank you for being willing to share your joys, pains and ...Read more
Millennial Life; The Beauty in Generational Imperfections
The hardest part of grief for me has been losing memories of the person you've lost, like their voice or a clear picture of their face. But from my Oma, there are other strange tidbits I do remember. Like a spot on her neck where she had a scar that looks like a mole removed. I may have asked as a child, but likely got a "hmpf" as a reply and ...Read more
Asking Eric: After saving man’s life, Good Samaritan never wants to see him again
Dear Eric: A few years ago, I was directly responsible for saving “Peter’s” life. I did not know Peter before this event and soon afterward he and his family reached out to thank me and ask to meet me, obviously under better circumstances.
I agreed to the meeting and, to be blunt, I regret it completely.
Peter is a perfectly decent ...Read more
Dear Annie; Keeping Seniors Safe Behind the Wheel
Dear Annie: I am a retired RN, and I was interested when one of your readers wrote that if an elderly person falls, they should not be allowed to drive. I am here to tell you there is no direct correlation between falls and driving. Falls for the elderly occur for many reasons -- some known and others unknown.
The statement in your column was ...Read more
Sister Makes Being Around Her An Unpleasant Experience
DEAR ABBY: My unpleasant older sister lives by the creed, "It's my way or the highway." As a result, she has no close friends, no husband or partner, no social circle. She was "strongly encouraged" to take early retirement from teaching because she couldn't get along with her co-workers.
After retirement, she joined a few clubs but soon quit ...Read more
Asking Eric: Work-from-home spouse wastes company time
Dear Eric: About two years ago, my husband was “invited” to resign his managerial position at a local company. This followed two less-than-great performance reviews which he claimed were the result of not getting along with his boss.
Fortunately, he was able to find another comparable full-time position quickly. He says he likes his job. ...Read more
Woman Dating Friend's Former One-Night Stand
DEAR HARRIETTE: I just found out my friend is dating a guy I slept with a couple of years ago back in college. None of my friends knew; it was a one-night stand, and I was too ashamed to tell them a secret that I thought would never resurface. Now, two years later, one of my best friends is seriously dating the guy. They've been going steady for...Read more
Don't Bite The Hand That Files Your Taxes
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I volunteer at a center that provides free tax prep for seniors. I am the greeter, and am really tired of people's arrogant and rude behavior to me.
I have received rude and nasty remarks from way too many clients. And this year, I've been told, "Get on your feet, honey," and "This is women's work" when asking people to fill ...Read more
Always the Afterthought
Dear Annie: My husband and I have one daughter, and family has always been important to us. She has several cousins around her age, and we've always hoped they would grow up close. Over the years, we've been the ones reaching out to make plans, but the effort is rarely reciprocated.
I don't believe anyone is intentionally trying to hurt our ...Read more
Widow Has Second Thoughts About Rekindled Romance
DEAR ABBY: After a four-year battle with cancer, my husband of 27 years passed away. After his death, I was contacted by a guy I had been involved with 40 years before. He said he wanted me to know that he was there for me if I needed to talk or just needed some company. I told him how much I appreciated it and I would call if I felt he could ...Read more
Trying to be a better dad? There's a class for that
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Robert Lyles has spent more than two decades raising children, but he says he is still learning what it means to be a father.
“I don’t know everything,” Lyles said.
With eight children ranging from 23 to 1-year-old, Lyles has learned that parenting looks different for every child. He joined Durham’s Nurturing Fathers ...Read more
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