DEAR ABBY: I am a 17-year-old male whose mom passed away six months ago. From the time I was a small child, she was mean to me and never had time for me, but I never wished her dead. She was mean to my dad as well.
Since her passing, Dad has gone crazy about women. He has them over spending the night all the time or he goes and stays at their house. I have talked to him about it, but he says he deserves to be happy. I’m an only child and I’d like for him to be here for me. What can I do? I feel so lonely. I’m too much of an introvert to speak to anyone about this. – LONELY IN THE SOUTH
DEAR LONELY IN THE SOUTH: Please accept my sympathy for your loss. I am concerned because you are so isolated. While it may not be easy to talk about your feelings, it’s the best way to deal with the pain you are experiencing.
Is there another relative in whom you can confide? The parent of a friend, a trusted teacher or counselor, or a religious adviser? Any of them could offer a willing ear and a soft shoulder. The only thing you should not do is keep these feelings bottled up inside because, if you do, they will only grow. I am sorry you are going through this alone. You appear to be more emotionally mature than your dad.
DEAR ABBY: For the last four or five years I have been receiving holiday cards from an ex-girlfriend of mine. I haven’t had contact with her since meeting my wife. My wife and I have been together for six years, married for two. The cards keep coming and it’s starting to make my wife uncomfortable. How do I respectfully tell my ex to quit sending them? I don’t have anything in common with this person other than that we used to be boyfriend and girlfriend back in high school. – MARRIED NOW IN MASSACHUSETTS