ArcaMax

Since I was elected, a very official letter has repeatedly landed on my desk, announcing the upcoming naturalization ceremony and requesting my company. I had put it on my calendar twice; RSVP'd and had to decline once; but this time, I held firm that I would make it at least once this year. I needed to see it again, especially now.

The last ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother regularly calls to blame me for my strained relationship with our sister, without knowing my side of the story. For my own peace of mind, I keep my distance from her, though I still send her Christmas gifts, birthday cards and other greetings -- which she ignores and never reciprocates.

My sister is a school counselor, ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I are in our 80s, married for 61 years. We are financially well-off and have few medical issues. As we approach our departure from this Earth, we've created the necessary legal documents to distribute our assets. So, what's the problem? My spouse is a "collector." We have several wonderful china settings, sterling silver ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am currently working hard to complete my MBA degree, but the people around me are telling me to stop because of financial constraints. They say I should take a break to avoid the stress and costs. I've been juggling work almost day and night to make this happen, determined to finish my degree. I even have plans to pursue a Ph.D...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend whom I very much treasured has ceased to be my friend.

After 12 years of travel adventures, Saturday afternoons at markets, deep conversations over coffee, visiting each other several times a year (after she moved 1,000 miles away) and helping each other with projects, she started distancing herself from me.

I asked...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a crush on my 18-year-old co-worker, and I'm certain she has a crush on me, too -- even though I'm 42 and she doesn't know my age yet. The age gap is too big, which makes me afraid to ask her out because I don't want to ruin my friendship with her.

The last time I had a relationship with an age gap this big was with a 19-...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My best friend of 40 years, "Savannah," has been in a bad marriage for 20 of those. Her husband has cheated on her repeatedly. He can't keep a job, and he emotionally abuses her and her daughter. Now that she's finally fed up, he refuses to leave the house.

Despite how bad his behavior has been, Savannah is doing nothing to move the ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am the youngest of five siblings, and although we're all adults now, I feel like my older siblings still see me as the baby of the family. No matter how much I accomplish, they continue to treat me like I'm inexperienced or don't know what I'm doing. It feels like they'll never see me as a capable adult even though I have a ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter was recently part of a wedding party, acting as a flower girl for a relative of my ex-husband. My ex and I were still married when the bride asked for my permission for this, and I agreed.

Later, she asked me for a photo of my daughter to put on a wedding website. Concerned about privacy for my young daughter, I ...Read more

Dear Annie: My best friend's ex-wife and I have found each other after decades and fallen in love. The whole situation is really complicated. She left their marriage over 30 years ago and recently divorced another man -- the one she left my friend for. She left my friend bitter and broken and he's never really forgiven her. I can't blame him. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: A month ago, my 7-year-old son was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike in a crosswalk. He's fine now. His injuries were minor, although it was frightening. Police and paramedics responded quickly, and I took my son to the hospital to have him fully checked.

Later that day, a police officer came by our house with a new bike for ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm in a really tough spot with my two best friends. Recently, they had a huge falling-out over something pretty serious, and it's escalated to the point where they're not speaking to each other. They've each been confiding in me about their side of the story, and while I've been trying my best to listen and be supportive, it ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I'm a man who is 6-foot-6 and 62 years old. My entire life, I have found myself bent in half when greeting women for whom a welcome hug is appropriate. My aunties, cousins, sisters and any number of others might throw their arms up, initiating a hug.

When women (of any age) hug me, they always want to put their arms above my ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 47-year-old woman, and I've been with my boyfriend, "Greg," for almost six years. I'm really happy with him, and I am at the point where I really can't imagine being with anyone else. There's just one thing: He has not proposed, and I don't know if he ever will.

It's gotten to the point where I feel almost desperate for him ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 64-year-old guy. I am single and have two daughters and four grandkids. A young woman ("Sarah"), who is my daughter's age, and I have been hiking buddies for the past five years. I treat her like my third daughter and a family member. Sarah is married, and her husband does not enjoy hiking. Her husband and my daughters accept ...Read more