DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 17 years with three great kids. My wife and I have struggled I often feel like maybe I don’t love her. I’m adventurous, daring and extroverted. She denies me sex a lot, the last time for four months.
I have met someone who has the same adventurous spirit as I do. She’s currently getting a divorce. She likes me, but isn’t sure what she wants. She’s afraid we won’t leave our spouses. I stopped texting her, but she said she will wait for me. How do I manage this? – TORN IN OHIO
DEAR TORN: Inform your wife that the current status of your marriage is no longer acceptable. Denying marital relations appears to be her way of punishing you, which is unfair. Offer her the option of marriage counseling. If she refuses, I hope you go alone to help you decide rationally which steps you want to take next.
If you decide to leave your marriage, there is no guarantee the woman you have been seeing will follow through with her divorce, but let her know your plans. For many, the first relationship after a divorce does not lead to marriage.
DEAR ABBY: I was a birth mom 45 years ago. My mother forced me to give up my child at birth. Not one person supported my wish to keep my child. My heart and mind screamed, “No, don’t do it!” Now, the birth father says he’s sorry because he’s having serious health problems and thinks he could be dying. I have forgiven everyone involved, over and over. But I’ve lived with depression, PTSD, etc., all these years and I cry about it still. The older I get, the more loss I feel.
I found my adult child 15 years ago. It started out OK and went downhill from there. My heart aches so much to have a connection with this child of mine. I’m shutting down inside while still waiting. I’m too tired to keep going on. My dreams are gone. My hopes are shattered. I’m ready to curl up and die. What can I do? – DESTROYED IN WASHINGTON
DEAR DESTROYED: I am sorry for your overwhelming pain. What you need to do – and quickly, before you shut down further – is summon the strength to seek help from a licensed mental health professional.
Forty-five years ago, attitudes about out-of-wedlock births were far different than they are today. Neither you nor the father of that child were equipped to properly care for the baby. Because you have forgiven everyone else over and over, it is time to find a way to forgive yourself and put a stop to your endless grieving.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)
Jeanne Phillips