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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 4, 2016)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016 FEATURES Tomorrow’s horoscope Boy tired of being a mistake Dear Annie: I am a 12-year- old boy, and I hate my life. I am the yoXnJeVt of ¿Ye, bXt there iV a huge age difference. My siblings are aged 29 to 35. My parents are in their mid-50s. My parents didn’t plan me and I’m tired of being constantly told that I am the family “mis- take.” It’s like a big joke to them. People always think I am my par- ent’s grandson. My mom seems happy to tell them, “No, he’s our son and obYiously he was a mis- take.” It makes me feel small and embarrassed. I think I’m a good kid. I get straight A’s and I always help around the house. I haYe told my parents that it hurts my feelings, but they laugh it off and say it’s just an expression and I am too sensitiYe. Most of my siblings are worse. They like to bully and make fun of me. My oldest sister blames me wheneYer Mom or 'ad haYe a health issue, saying it’s hard on them to deal with a young child at their age. The only sibling I haYe who likes me is my single 29-year-old brother. He always defends me and likes spending time with me. I haYe this fantasy that he will adopt me and let me moYe in with him, but I Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar know that’s unrealistic. How I can get my family to stop being so mean to me? They don’t seem to hear anything I say. — The Family Mistake Dear Family: No one likes to be constantly teased. But your par- ents were undoubtedly teased about the age gap of their children, and they responded by turning it into a joke. <ou belieYe it reÀects poorly on you, when it’s really about them. Surely your parents know that lots of people in their 50s haYe kids your age and they do just ¿ne. <our parents and siblings haYe fallen into a pattern of treating you poorly. If your brother cannot get your parents to rethink their behaY- ior, please talk to your school coun- selor, faYorite teacher or coach, your grandparents, aunts, uncles or a sympathetic family friend. You need an adult to adYocate for you and talk to your parents on your behalf. Dear Annie: I read the let- ter from “Stymied Husband” who wants to go for counseling with his wife in order to regain intimacy. She thinks it means he wants a diYorce. &ounselors haYe gotten a bad rap. As with any professional, you should interYiew them and get ref- erences. It saddens me that society has made counseling a shameful thing, when really, it is just there to help you. To what degree depends on your willingness to accept your responsibility and do your part. My husband and I haYe been married 30 years and haYe been to counseling off and on for 25 of them. We con- sider it a tuneup. Hopefully “Stymied” can get his wife to see a counselor as a “life coach” rather than a “diYorce coach.” — Thankful for Our Life Coach Dear Thankful: You are abso- lutely right. Readers often take us to task for recommending counseling, belieYing that we should be able to giYe a line or two of pithy adYice to solYe all problems. That may work for which way to hang the toilet paper, but it doesn’t work for com- plicated issues inYolYing intimacy and trust. 5A By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). When it comes to following your heart’s desire, there’s no such thing as being too old to start or too young to start. It’s the happiness of your heart that counts, not the age of it. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s not a day for putting up with your own trepidation. The minute you feel yourself hesitate, push yourself to dive into the thing that gives you pause. Face the fears now while they are still small. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The candy col- ors of this environment were exciting to you at one time, but you’ve matured. Now you want to interact in a place with more to offer. You’re looking for variety and depth. You’ll find it, too. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Fast fixes, succinct answers and brief interactions rule the early day, because you’ve something juicy to get to — something you’d like to sa- vor in slow motion. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A lot could hap- pen; a lot might happen. Playing the odds is smart today, and the odds are against those “coulds” and “mights.” Focusing on what (SET ITAL) is (END ITAL) happening will be lucrative and satisfying. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Overcoming the fear of rejection is a simple process. All you have to do is get rejected a few times so you no longer fear it. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as the stars favor personal risk. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You don’t al- ways get the laughs you’re going for, which is why you so appreciate how you’re able to deliver levity now. You are far more entertain- ing than you might suspect! Your stories help others develop a better sense of humor. FRANK AND ERNEST BLONDIE THATABABY SALLY FORTH PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN B.C. LOLA DILBERT SIX CHIX BIZARRO MUTTS NON SEQUITUR BABY BLUES WIZARD OF ID ZITS ROSE IS ROSE SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your suc- cess is closely linked to confidence. Maybe you can’t entirely fake being sure of yourself, but the fact that you try is enough. Believing in your ideas will be half the battle. Convinc- ing the others will be the other half. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You have the attitude of a hard worker, and so you’ll be able to handle whatever job comes up. Whether or not it’s within your jurisdiction or expertise is beside the point really. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Children (and those who behave as such) respect you greatly, and yet something stubborn and innate will have a few of them pushing the boundaries anyway. Keep cool and enforce your position as you said you would. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You would prefer to travel comfortably, first-class if pos- sible; who wouldn’t? And yet, that comfort comes with such a high cost today (spiritual- ly and financially) that it will be worthwhile to take the “coach” alternative. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You feel as though you are standing on the precipice of something grand, overwhelming and dangerous. You’re above this, but you’re not the master of it. Do not let it mesmerize you away from your firm footing. TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 5). Your solar return will give you the courage to let go of what’s holding you back. If you still don’t realize what exactly that is, you’ll learn in the next three weeks. You’ll gain access to an exclusive world in May. June brings a new way of running your daily life. An audacious long-term goal will be realized in August. Aquarius and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 44, 47, 3 and 17.