FEATURES
8A
Dad wants to stay in touch
Dear Annie: I am a 51-year-old man
and have been unemployed for the past
three years. Last year, my wife asked for
a divorce.
My question is: What can I do to re-
vitalize my relationship with my three
teenage children? I have to initiate all
phone calls and texts. They never ask
how I am. The youngest is forthcoming
about events in his life, but my daughters
require extensive questioning, and all I
get are brief answers. I understand that
they are angry with me, but I am trying
my best to get a new job and move on
with my life. Every time I see them, I tell
them that I miss them, but only my son
says he misses me, too.
It is so frustrating that I don’t want to
do this much longer. I have started apply-
ing for jobs out of state so I won’t have
to deal with the disappointment. I feel
that they are trying to keep me out of their
lives. If so, I should just stop trying so
hard. I don’t like spending my days think-
ing about them and feeling hurt. What do
you suggest? — Feeling Unloved
Dear Unloved: Please do not cut your
children out of your life because they are
angry and confused and taking it out on
you. No matter how upsetting their be-
havior, they still need you. They also need
to know that you will not give up on them.
Talk to your ex-wife. Explain how
this hurts the children, and ask for her
help in maintaining a better relation-
the family. Your sister and her husband
were “the family.” While you are not ob-
ligated to go to the funeral of someone
you barely know, it would have been a
Creators
kindness to go for your sister’s sake, or
Syndicate Inc.
at least give her the impression that you
wanted to be there but had other serious
Kathy Mitchell
obligations.
and
We do think your sister overreacted
Marcy Sugar
in the moment, but we also know you’d
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ship — for their sakes. Your contact at her you are so sorry you didn’t go to the
WKLVPRPHQWLQWLPHZLOOUHÀHFWRQWKHLU funeral, that you should have been there
feelings for you in the future, when they for her and her husband, and that you
are more mature and able to gain per- deeply regret it and hope she can forgive
spective. We know it’s hard. Please don’t you. It’s not too much to do for a sibling
make it permanent.
relationship that you value.
Dear Annie: My sister and her hus-
Dear Annie: I read the letter from
band have disowned us because we did “Frustrated Wife,” whose husband
not go to a memorial service for her hus- leaves the cabinet doors open and never
band’s brother, who passed away after a puts tools away.
long battle with cancer.
My wonderful, hardworking, intel-
My wife and I saw this brother once ligent husband exhibits these same ten-
every few years at family occasions. dencies. I would come home from work
We were never at his home. The day of H[KDXVWHGDQG¿QGWKHFXSERDUGGRRUV
the service, my sister called and asked open and things all over the countertops.
whether I was coming. I said no, that I
$W¿UVW,IXPHG7KHQ*RGSXWWKH
had other things going on, and she hung thought into my head: If my husband
up.
were dead, my cupboard doors would
We are in our late 60s, and I think it’s be closed, the screwdriver would be put
a shame for them to end a relationship away and nothing would be out of place.
over this. Were we wrong? — Weighing 6R , VWDUWHG VD\LQJ WR P\VHOI ³7KDQN
on My Mind in Pennsylvania
you. Hubby is still alive.” The difference
Dear Weighing: The point of at- in my attitude makes a big difference in
tending a funeral is to pay respects to my life. — Petite Wife in Nebraska
Annie’s
Mailbox
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
STONE SOUP
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s nice
when things come easily, but it’s not always
beneficial. Difficulties are just part of your
initiation. They give you a sense of belong-
ing you wouldn’t have otherwise, and they
get you ready for the challenges ahead.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People
have a tendency to reject what they haven’t
tasted, but you’re more adventurous than
that. The vegetables (and life’s equivalent)
are typically good for you, and you’ll like
them if you give them a chance.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll find
yourself in a room full of VIPs, and you very
much belong there. Bring reality to the group
before anyone’s head explodes. When ev-
eryone is famous, no one is famous.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your half-
hearted effort will yield results that are on
par with your wholehearted effort. Maybe
this is unfair, or maybe it’s extremely fair,
considering you’ve already put in your time
and paid your dues.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Love may be
stabilizing, but it’s not like a rock. You can’t
give it to someone and expect it to keep the
same shape through the ages. Like bread,
you have to make it fresh every time you
give it.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Rigor, rele-
vance, relationships and responsibility. It’s
more than a high school motto; it’s the way
you live your life. These four “r’s” will shape
your days this week.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Einstein sug-
gested that reality is a (very persistent) illu-
sion, making a good case for persistence
in general. If you behave in a certain way
enough times, you’ll be characterized as
the essence of that behavior.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your con-
science will prevent you from fully indulg-
ing in extravagance. You’ll dip your toe in,
though. How can you help it when such
luxurious options present themselves?
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
There’s a competition going on, and if you
continue to work hard, you’ll be the sure
winner. Be sure to distinguish between
competition and fun, though. There’s no
winner at fun (unless you count everyone).
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It’s said
that the right habits will give you the key to
the universe. Indeed, if you can command
yourself to do as you think you should,
you’ll have many new options.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Don’t as-
sume that people know what you’re about.
Start from the beginning. Give them some
context. Take your time — they want you
to. You’re more entertaining than you know.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You don’t
write your name now the same way you
did when you were 8, and you don’t dress
the same way you did in the ’90s. Your style
is ever-evolving, as is evident by today’s
choices.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (March
4). This month’s challenge is a no-brainer.
You’ll excel because you do what you’re
supposed to be doing. Next month will
bring a new deal. Putting in extra work
hours will help you fulfill a wish. June brings
you a gift that’s hard to come by, rare or
expensive. Someone special will capture
your heart in September. Aries and Aquar-
ius people adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 10, 8, 30, 15 and 19.