ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: I have been a minister for 40 years. Throughout most of these years, I have tried to be supportive to my sister. Her oldest child, Nahla, has been difficult since she was 15. My niece cuts herself, uses drugs and has been in prison and in rehab. I have listened patiently as my sister wept, discussed her fears and anger, prayed for her...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband lost his job. He had worked there since we were married 10 years ago, and earned top wages because he had been with them for so long. Two years into our marriage, when we found out we were expecting our first child, we decided that I would be a stay-at-home mom. My husband has taken care of us financially ever since. I ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married 35 years. During the last six years, my mom died, my dad moved in and then he passed away at 91. Dad traveled, including to see my three siblings, and had a girlfriend. Three years ago, my mother-in-law, who is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, moved in. My husband is an only child and has no other family ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife of 36 years has never introduced me to a restaurant, bought concert tickets or planned a vacation. She seldom suggests movies she wants to see or introduces me to any form of music. She claps her hands like a little girl when I say we are going out for ice cream, a walk or to a festival.

I have encouraged her repeatedly over ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 30 years. He is my high school sweetheart and my best friend. We enjoy each other, and I thought we had a great relationship. Occasionally, we spice up our sex life to keep things interesting. At his request, I have sexted him a few times with the understanding that he delete the photos once he has ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband, Doug, and I have had a long and happy marriage. We've raised two children, both of whom are doing well in life. I have much to be thankful for, but I keep having to remind myself of that because I'm having trouble adjusting to my changing relationship with my husband.

We have a grandson. The boy has become the focus of my...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My 7-year-old granddaughter, Hannah, is the light of my life. Her mother walked out on her when she was 2, and her mother's parents don't know she exists. Her mother hid her pregnancy and delivery, and the child has lived with us since birth.

My heart has always broken for her maternal grandparents. I could not imagine not knowing ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My fiance, Bradley, is the man of my dreams. We have been together three years, live together and have a dog. Brad is in his early 30s, and I'm turning 30 this year.

We decided on a long engagement so we could enjoy the planning process. Our wedding is scheduled for next year. We both work hard and live comfortably. But we struggle ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been dating my boyfriend for a year and a half. We're both 30, and we have pretty much decided to tie the knot. The only thing holding me back is his hygiene.

When we met, he wasn't all that into showering and using deodorant. Slowly, over time, he has started to shower daily and wear deodorant, but he still doesn't brush his ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My brother-in-law passed away six months ago, and my mother-in-law, Grace, is understandably grief-stricken. My husband and son have been very supportive of her. My father-in-law passed away nine years ago. I have tried to be supportive as well, but Grace and I have always had a contentious relationship, and she really wants nothing ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My brother, Kevin, came out at the age of 30. Now, 20 years later, I have a son who would like to stay with my brother for a few months while working a job nearby. We have never discussed that Kevin is gay. I had no idea when he came out to me. No one ever asked me about it other than my mother, who goes on and on when we are alone ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been with my boyfriend, Rocko, for two years, but in the late months of last year, he became distant. He would disappear for days at a time, block my phone number and ignore me. I was sure he was seeing another woman or taking drugs because he is an ex-addict.

Two months ago, he was arrested. I was right -- Rocko was on drugs ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Sometimes when my husband has been drinking, he does things I consider inappropriate with his cousin and childhood friend Jasper. The most recent incident involved my husband pulling down his pants and showing Jasper his private parts. Later that night he tried to grab Jasper's crotch.

To me, Jasper seems slightly uncomfortable, but ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 20 years. I have never cheated on him or given him any reason to believe I have. But he is constantly on my Facebook account. He also reads all my emails and text messages.

I have nothing to hide, but I feel foolish standing by him as he reads my messages. I feel like a student in a principal's...Read more

DEAR ABBY: For most of my life I searched for my biological father. My mother had many relationships throughout her life, and I was the result of a one-night stand. I have a half-brother who is the result of another failed relationship. My mother finally married a man who raised us as his own and gave us his last name. However, Mom wouldn't tell...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a mother of two girls, ages 3 and 5. Their father and I are together, but I'm not in love with him anymore. I have felt this way for two years now.

I'm not excited to see him come home. When I take our children out, I hope he doesn't want to come. When he touches me affectionately, I want to pull away. I have talked to him about ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a middle-aged woman who has survived a 30-year toxic relationship with a covert narcissist. I am now blessed to be able to divorce him and get therapy for his emotional abuse. I have six amazing grown children. I'm also a sophomore in college and have a part-time job. This is the first time in my life I am able to actually do ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I will soon be retiring from a lay position in my church. As a former member of the choir, I'm being urged to return to it, which appeals to me. My problem is a member who has caused trouble in the past for me with lies and criticism.

She is a very negative bully. In the past, she poisoned my ability to worship, and I want as little ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been seeing a woman who is 21 years younger than I am. She says she loves me, but I am hesitant because of our age difference.

We have known each other for years. She had a crush on me when she was 16, but I was married at the time, and she was too young. We made love a couple of times when she was in her 20s because I was ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My father is in his 70s and lives close by. My brother and his family live across the country. Dad has smoked for more than 60 years, and an incident with his high blood pressure recently landed him in the hospital. He's supposed to be on medication, but he refuses to take it.

He claims his hobby of playing the trumpet keeps his ...Read more