DEAR ABBY: I’m struggling with the end of a friendship that has meant the world to me for most of my life. My best friend of 25 years recently married someone she had known for only a few months. I was surprised how quickly things moved, but I respected her decision and was genuinely happy … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My spouse and I are retired and on Social Security. We’ve both worked hard all our lives and are content living a modest retirement. Our house is paid for, and we have little debt. However, we’re both experiencing physical and mental decline. I worry about our house. We aren’t able to clean and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m 29 and in a 10-year relationship with my boyfriend, “Justin.” Things have been rocky since his business went under last year. For months, I have been working 10 shifts a week at two jobs to cover our bills, including a mortgage. Barely seeing each other has put a strain on our relationship. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I began experiencing migraines occasionally as a teenager, but in my early 20s, they became a regular occurrence. I tried unsuccessfully for years to identify my triggers, cutting things from my diet and environment before realizing about a year ago that I’m triggered by smoke. My husband — my best friend and the … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have suspected for many years that my son is gay. I don’t understand why he would feel he can’t talk to me about his relationships. I would love him regardless. Everything was fine when his father and I lived hundreds of miles away, but when I mentioned we might move closer, my … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have been seeing my partner, “Gil,” for five years. After my husband passed, Gil came into my life again. We had been colleagues about 10 years prior. We always had a spark but never acted on it, as I was deeply committed to my late husband. After the funeral, Gil came into … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am 57 and have been married for 32 years to my husband, who retired from his full-time job last year. I still work full time. Since his retirement, he has been going to a bar once a week or so, spending a few hours visiting with the customers and staff. One of … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I live five hours away from my hometown. My mom is 98 and in assisted living there. In recent years, my younger sister has become cruel to our mom and is trying to take advantage of her. Instead of helping Mom, she does things to deliberately upset her and raise her blood pressure. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am worried about my 21-year-old son, “Travis.” He hasn’t quite left our home that he shares with me and my husband, but he sleeps here only one or two nights. He’s in school part time and works part time, which means working or studying long hours until morning. What concerns me is … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I recently received a voicemail from my brother that recorded a conversation he was having with his wife. It was clear he didn’t know he had accidentally dialed my phone during this conversation. It was an argument, which lasted two minutes before there was a pause in the conversation and he hung up. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: In a few days, the second anniversary of my husband’s death will be here. We were together for 40 years. They weren’t easy years; he had many issues, both physical and mental. I was isolated because I didn’t want others to know the extent of what I lived with every day. I cared … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I was once a stay-at-home wife. I did all the cooking, housekeeping, etc. Due to a downturn in the industry where my husband was a highly paid executive, he returned to a health-care career using his bachelor’s degree. I returned to work in a well-paying but demanding job. So now I cook, we … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am twice divorced and recently celebrated my 61st birthday. I look pretty fantastic, and I’m in great health. My husbands were really great guys, and I have maintained positive relationships with both. My first marriage lasted 20 years; the second lasted 10. I have been flying solo for the last five years. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: In the four years my husband and I have been married, his distaste for the LGBTQ community has grown into a passion. He calls it immoral and unnatural. I’ve never tried to change his opinion, but because I don’t enthusiastically agree with him, he is convinced I’m going to hell. He uses nearly … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My ex-husband was found dead in his home three months ago. He was a bitter man who never forgave me for leaving him. We were divorced for 30 years before his death and have two children and four beautiful grandchildren. For years, he bitterly complained to our children and refused to attend special … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband works out of state for an oil rigging company 20 days out of the month. He gets 10 days off. When he comes home, we may have two days of quality time together. The rest of his time he spends on his phone outside. When I recently had spinal surgery, he … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I was sexually abused as a child. Because of this, as an adult woman, I have issues around being touched. I have had therapy, and I am doing much better, but I’m still uncomfortable with physical contact. I simply request that people ask me before they touch me, and I usually agree. The … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently moved out of state. His only living relative, a sister, recently came to visit. She has never been married. She is a retired professional and has a good retirement, especially since she has no children. During her visit, she gave us a housewarming greeting card with a $50 … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I lost the love of my life recently. He died here in our apartment. I am heartbroken. I’m crying a lot but trying to keep myself together. I get scared being here in our apartment by myself, especially at night. I do arts and crafts and other things during the day. I have … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I found out that, behind my back, my best friend has been (secretly) growing hair for the past year. He knows I have been balding for many years. Although I have accepted my follicular fate, he knows I constantly search for self-improvement in my life. What bothers me is that he didn’t share … Read more