DEAR ABBY: In my junior year of high school, my girlfriend got pregnant. We married and had a son. Two years later we had a daughter. I knew from the beginning she was not my biological child because of her blood type, but I loved her all the same. I never told my daughter or my ex-wife (now deceased) what I knew.
With DNA testing being so prevalent, I’m at a loss. Most of my family (my parents, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren) have been tested and show up linked to me.
My daughter, her children and grandchildren do not show up anywhere on my DNA chart. I am sure that she and some of her family have been tested and suspect but are saying nothing to spare my feelings. I feel I need to clear the air with my daughter, but my wife says to let sleeping dogs lie. Advice? – OLD DOG IN THE WEST
DEAR OLD DOG: I agree with your wife. You raised your daughter, and she is as much your child as if she had come from your loins. You are her dad. If she or one of her family members has been DNA tested and she hasn’t broached the subject with you, it may be because she has no questions she wants to ask you. I see nothing to be gained by raising the subject now.
DEAR ABBY: I’m writing in response to “Paying Respects in California” (Feb. 19), the married man who wondered if it was weird for him to attend the funeral of an old school friend (female) and to go alone.