ArcaMax

Dear Annie: I am a 14-year-old boy. I'm on the swim team, and I take tap dancing lessons. But when I told my mom that I'd like to continue with both, she told me tap was a waste of time and that I would never go anywhere with it.

Only when one of my dance friends offered to take me to class after school did she agree that I could go. She still ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am in a 14-month-old relationship that is rapidly falling apart. I consider this relationship serious.

"Clara" is in her early 60s and several years younger than I am. After the first three months, we began discussing marriage. We talk on the phone every day and see each other twice a week. I take her out for dinner and a movie, ...Read more

Dear Annie: My father is in his late 70s and lives next door to my husband and me. Dad is a capable adult and maintains his household. I love him and am happy that he can take care of himself.

Lately, however, I have noticed that Dad is becoming short tempered and frustrated when he does not get the response he wants or doesn't understand what ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been living with "Marcus" for two years, and we've known each other for twice that long. We are both in our late 40s. Soon after we moved in together, Marcus became seriously ill. We've been through five invasive surgeries, and there may be more.

The most serious illness seems to be under control, but now other debilitating ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been with my husband for 10 years, and we have two children. Two years ago, I found out that he was bothering a 19-year-old girl. He was 30 at the time. We separated over this, but six months ago, we got back together.

Now when I ask about this young woman, his story keeps changing. He says they were just friends, and then he...Read more

Dear Annie: This is an open note to my husband:

Dear Husband: I love you, and most of the time, I like you, as well. However, right now, I am too angry to talk to you.

When I exhaust myself doing "womanly" things like cleaning the moldy shower stall that you never notice, you gush gratitude. When I spend umpteen hours on the garden, you tell ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband, "Ricardo," is a naturally curious man. He usually asks questions in a charming manner, showing genuine interest in family and friends.

We have a teenage son. Ricardo often asks him probing questions about his girlfriend, which upsets our son. I totally get that Ricardo is interested and concerned for our son, so often I ...Read more

Dear Annie: My 88-year-old uncle is mentally ill. He is paranoid and suffers from extreme anxiety. He has refused mental help for years. His three grown children also have indications of mental illness.

It is difficult to be around "Uncle Joe" because he rants about nonsense and claims that everyone is doing something evil to him. He writes ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother has been separated from his wife, "Sherrie," for a year. They have three girls under the age of 5.

Sherrie is crazy. She stalks him. She has gone to his job and caused a scene. She's called every one of his female workers and accused them of sleeping with him. She phones my elderly, sick parents crying hysterically, ...Read more

Dear Annie: You gave great advice to "Too Small," the teenage boy who is worried that his short stature means he will never have a girlfriend.

I recommend he check his hygiene, making sure it's impeccable. He also should make sure his clothes are neat, clean and pressed and learn some communication skills so he's an excellent conversationalist ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a middle school student, and one of my friends is depressed. She and her family are atheists, and they have been repeatedly harassed about it to the point that her worst fear is dying and going to hell.

I'm really scared for my friend. When we found out she was thinking about suicide the first time, we got her to go to the ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married for 28 years to a hardworking man. We have one teenage daughter. "Kara" is very smart, and my husband spoils her rotten. Kara has her own car, and my husband gives her money whenever she asks for it. We have some money saved in a college account for her, but she wants to attend an elite school that is more than we...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 23-year-old man. I served in the army and deployed to Afghanistan. I was medically discharged for PTSD about two years ago.

I'm currently going to school to be a firefighter, but I'm afraid I've picked this field not because it interests me, but because I cannot go back into the military.

I'm working in an office now, and I ...Read more

Dear Annie: Five years ago, my husband's best friend, "Cary," was in financial trouble and asked my husband for a loan, which he sent. I only found out about it when the bank sent a receipt to our house. It was for $25,000. I nearly fell over.

I questioned my husband, and he said our loan kept Cary out of bankruptcy, so I dropped the subject. ...Read more

Dear Annie: When my son was a teenager, he attempted suicide three times. My daughter has attempted suicide twice. Her 16-year-old son left a note, but she discovered it and took him to a hospital.

I have moments of complete sadness, but I have never tried to kill myself. Does this suicidal tendency run in families? Is there a "suicide gene"? -...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to my husband for a year, and we moved into our first house roughly six months ago. I love our home, and I know we're very fortunate.

Here's the problem: His parents live two hours from us. My husband has a younger sister who plays in the local youth symphony. As a result, she is frequently in town for music ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been caring for my grandmother for the past eight years. We both have full-time jobs and two young children. Grandma has dementia, and her health and cognition have been declining significantly in the past six months, with multiple hospitalizations for dehydration and infections. It has taken a toll on my ...Read more

Dear Readers: Today is Thanksgiving. If you know someone who is alone today, please invite him or her to share your Thanksgiving dinner and help make the occasion truly special.

Today we'd like to run a piece that has appeared in this space several times. It was written by Judy Vekasy, a registered nurse and director of activities in a nursing ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have had a best friend for nearly 20 years. However, in the past six or seven years, "Gloria" has become very self-absorbed and selfish. She refuses to show any reciprocity for favors or kindnesses. She seems to have time only for doctors, workouts and different physical therapies. She says she wants others to take care of her and ...Read more

Dear Annie: My boyfriend, "Darrin," and I have been seeing each other for five years. I love him and feel loved by him. He is affectionate and a great listener. I have grown children who are free to pop in and out of my house whenever they please. We also have many extended family get-togethers throughout the year.

Darrin will ask me about my ...Read more