DEAR ABBY: My husband and I discussed our 25th anniversary and mentioned Hawaii as a possibility. He reached out to his brother and sister-in-law for suggestions, since they have visited Hawaii twice and we never have. My husband mentioned to my sister-in-law (without consulting me) that maybe the four of us should travel together to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My grandmother passed away 16 years ago. Before she passed, she told me and my two kids that she had an account for each of them for their college. After she was gone, my aunt was in charge of her will. My kids never got their money, and my aunt would never let … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My sister has always been a liar and a manipulator. She has lost jobs because of her toxic behavior. Our parents passed away 20 years ago, and ever since, she has trashed their memory to anyone who will listen. She claims she was unwanted because she was female, that my parents refused to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Our granddaughter, “Amy,” who shows in 4-H, decided to take her stepdad’s last name when appearing at the fair. Our son, her father, is a big part of her life. This is the second year in a row she has done this, and it hurts me and my husband deeply. Her mother, stepdad … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I was with the same person (my first “everything” guy) for 23 years. A few years after the shock of a divorce, I met someone 10 years my junior. He makes me feel I’m the most beautiful woman in the world, complimenting on what my ex considered my faults, showing I am still … Read more
DEAR ABBY: While the saying goes “no man is an island,” I beg to differ, as I am married to one. My husband has little to no patience with anyone, family included. He has always been negative, and as he grows older, it has grown 10 times worse. Over the past 15 years, my husband … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, my uncle made a controversial comment about a social issue in my mom’s family group text. The issue was important enough to my sister that she requested discussion about it cease because she didn’t agree with what they were saying. When the discussion continued, she decided to cut Mom’s … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am pregnant with the first-born grandson on both sides. My husband and I plan to use my husband’s middle name for our son’s first name and my father’s middle name for his middle name. My father is “the III” but has no sons, so we thought this would be a way to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: In high school, I had a friend who constantly told me he loved me. I never returned the feelings. We remained friends through high school, college, and early adulthood. We married others and had children, occasionally popping into each other’s lives. Four years ago, we started texting a lot — probably 100 times … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have read your column for 40 years. Now I have an issue. I have been taking care of my wife’s uncle for the last two years. He had a stroke, and I became a certified nursing assistant. I stay home and take care of him 24/7. My wife does not help. Recently, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I text my older sister often. Last month, I sent her a long message consisting of information and chitchat. To my surprise, it was not answered by her, but by her daughter (who I am not fond of). My message was not meant for her daughter, and although the information it contained was … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m having a problem with my sister, who visits me on the average of once a month. She lives four hours away. Her friend and her husband accompany her. They are my only company. I used to enjoy them but no longer. After their visits, stuff is always missing from my house — … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My friend of 50 years passed away a few months ago. I sent a fruit basket to her family and tried calling, but I was unable to get through. I couldn’t reach them via email or text either. I also sent a sympathy card. I heard nothing back from her husband or the … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My mother passed away last year, and my father is 90. I am trying to get their primary and vacation homes staged for sale. It is a HUGE job as they were hoarders. They were popular, and when I go to their cabin, all their neighbors want to come and chat with me … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Eight years ago, I split from my fiancé of 30 years, “Anthony,” when he accused me of cheating, which I was absolutely not doing. Throughout the entire relationship, he hurt and belittled me. He is insecure and always suspicious. However, he remains attached to my family through my daughter and grandsons, which I … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My close friend “Annie” came to my father’s funeral. She had met him only a couple of times. While I realized she was doing it to be there for me, I felt responsible for her since she knew no one there. I had her sit with me, but I was trying to deal … Read more
DEAR ABBY: This letter is embarrassing to write. When calling in a fast-food order, my husband wants me to ask the price of each item and becomes upset if they vary from the online menu price. I understand that in this economy, there are bound to be increases. One day, the difference was about $5. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a 60-year-old divorcee. I am currently dating a Danish man and have been for a year. He asked me to marry him several months ago, and I said yes. He wants me and my daughter to move to Denmark. My daughter is 21 and high-functioning autistic, but she still needs me … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a senior man living next door to a slightly older woman. We live in lakefront homes and enjoy being active together in the water during our retirement years. Recently, I was looking out the window and saw an alligator swimming by about 50 yards away. Alligators are almost unknown in our … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Both my parents had birthdays days apart and near a holiday. About 35 years ago, they started a tradition of having an elaborate party on or near their birthdays. My siblings and I were grown. The guests were their friends, and we were mostly bored out of our minds. As we married and … Read more