DEAR ABBY: I’ve been friends with a married couple for over 40 years and knew them both before they knew each other. She’s popular, has a great sense of humor and is an excellent wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor, etc. I actually became “friends” with the husband first (quotes because he basically forced his friendship on … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have been with my significant other for five years and have helped raise his daughter, “Maeve,” since she was a toddler. She is now 8, and her behavior — and his enabling — are pushing me to my breaking point. Maeve demands her father do everything for her, including bathing and dressing … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been happily married for 30 years. We both were previously widowed and have grown children and a large number of grandchildren. From the beginning of our marriage, we funded many things for our children — cars, college, weddings, eating out, shopping trips, vacations, etc. Because we’re now retired, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Fifty-two years ago, while in high school, I met a young lady. We hung out then and for two years after graduation. We did everything together, and at the time it seemed she was my soulmate. Then I dumped her with no explanation except that I had met someone else. I married that … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I was sexually assaulted at work about 20 years ago. I went through an off-and-on cycle with that supervisor for almost a year. He used many different tactics: isolating me, befriending me, apologizing insincerely, stating that he was a pillar of the community and no one would believe it, and even telling me … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My sister-in-law lives across the country. For years, we shipped each other’s children Christmas gifts. A few years ago, she went through a difficult divorce and has since stopped sending gifts. While we didn’t discuss it, I figured it was a financial strain, which is understandable. My issue is that we continued to … Read more
DEAR READERS: The mailbox was bursting with responses to the Oct. 9 letter from Frustrated Neighbor, whose 94-year-old neighbor is bedridden and nominally cared for by a woman who also holds his power of attorney. I’ll let the readers speak for themselves: “Red flags everywhere! The neighbor says the caregiver has his POA, which means … Read more
DEAR ABBY: How much should a neighborhood do to keep up a vacant house? About 15 years ago, a couple in their 50s moved into the end of my cul-de-sac. Their two children were out of college; the son lived elsewhere, and the daughter lived with them. Almost two years ago, the dad died suddenly. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: We live 500 miles from our nearest relatives, but a niece is attending a university about 50 miles away. We invite her to join us for holidays and weekends, and sometimes she asks to visit to escape from roommate drama. We love having her, but she often says she’s coming at one time … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m 78, and my husband is 79. This past year, he lost $500,000 through a fraudulent bitcoin site. Fortunately, we have $500,000 left, but I’m so angry about this, you can’t imagine — all of my hard-earned savings, gone. I’ve had a lifelong dream to go to Italy to see all the amazing … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Let me start off by saying I have a great life, a good job, a loving boyfriend and family I adore. I’m a 42-year-old woman with grown children and grandkids. In the past, I struggled with low self-esteem and now choose to keep to myself. My life with my boyfriend of seven years … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am 39 and have been with my husband for 20 years. We got together when we were young, and our two kids are almost grown. Early in our relationship, he cheated on me several times. I was able to move past that for the most part. We have a solid relationship and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are friendly with another couple, “Matt” and “Mara.” They have two young children, one of whom is autistic. We have five children, so we understand the daily challenges of parenting. My husband and Matt have been friends since preschool. I met Mara soon after she and Matt started dating. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am the mother of a beautiful 30-year-old son, “Caleb,” who’s married, employed and happy. We have a close relationship, and he thinks Mom and Dad (married 35 years) are awesome. He was also close to his “perfect” grandma, who died recently. He adored her, and she loved and spoiled him. What he … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My next-door neighbor, “Dee,” has a granddaughter, “Sarah.” A year ago, I was friendly with Sarah, but months later, she became disrespectful. She wouldn’t listen when I asked her not to ring my doorbell for no reason or tease my cats. I told Dee, and she said she would try to talk to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A friend’s wife’s elderly biological father was killed in a one-car auto accident recently. She had been estranged from him for as long as I can remember (more than 30 years?) and told me over the years how much she hated him. She adored her stepfather, who died a few years back. My … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Our 24-year-old daughter, “Becca,” and her 26-year-old boyfriend, “Jason,” (the father of our 7-year-old granddaughter) recently bought a home. Jason works only part time — if he works at all — and has no interest in a full-time job. One issue, however, really weighs heavily on our minds. Whenever we pick up our … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I helped plan a 12-guy bachelor party in Boston. The best man’s initial email outlined the itinerary — two nights away and a Bruins game — and included a link to the Airbnb. Everyone RSVP’d with an enthusiastic “yes.” With headcounts locked, we booked the lodging and group-rate tickets. The total came to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for many years. We are both over 60. About eight years ago, I was diagnosed with, had surgery for and rehabbed from a benign brain tumor. It left me with considerable facial paralysis that I had further surgery to repair — all in all, 10 facial … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My spouse passed away from pancreatic cancer more than two years ago. We were together for 13 years and stood by each other during good and bad times. I was recently contacted by my first love from 44 years ago. We’ve been emailing, and I’ve been feeling emotions about him like when we … Read more