FEATURES
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Mom worries about adult son Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: My 35-year-old
son, “Edgar,” has been diagnosed
with major depression and is receiv-
ing disability. He currently lives in
an apartment on my parents’ prop-
erty.
Since Edgar is currently ve-
hicle-less, I’ve been helping him
with grocery shopping, etc. Last
week, after a bout of extreme aller-
gy symptoms, his depression esca-
lated, and he texted me, saying, “I
don’t care about anything anymore.
My life is worthless.” He claimed
he had no food left, but refused to
let me bring over groceries. He said
he didn’t care if he wasted away, al-
though he promised not to kill him-
self.
Over the weekend, I texted him,
but there was no response. By Mon-
day, I was frantic. I reached out to
his physician, leaving a message
with the assistant, emphatically stat-
ing that my son promised he would
not harm himself. He just didn’t
want to eat. I told the assistant that
it was crucial that I speak with the
doctor before an intervention. Well,
this inept nitwit conveyed the wrong
information to the doctor, resulting
in a call from the police inquiring
about a welfare check. And instead
of talking to me, the doctor phoned
my parents.
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
Then Edgar called, ranting that
I have totally messed up his life be-
cause I told his doctor he was suicid-
al. I phoned the doctor, who apolo-
gized profusely for the confusion
her assistant had caused and assured
me that she would call my son and
straighten things out. I waited an-
other day and then sent Edgar a text,
wanting to open communications.
He replied, “Forget it, the damage
is already done. I can’t go back to
that doctor.” He said he was going to
move far away where no one could
¿QGKLP:KDWGR,GR"²Drama
Dear Drama: You need to give
Edgar some breathing room. Al-
though he may actually be grateful
that you care, this much attention
to his mental health might be over-
whelming him. Send a calm text,
saying you love him, you’re sorry
you upset him, and that you hope
he will get back in touch soon. We
know you are worried, but there is
only so much you can do without
his cooperation. Meanwhile, please
contact the National Alliance on
Mental Illness at 1-800-950-NAMI
(nami.org).
Dear Annie: I had to response to
“Torn,” whose husband was desper-
ate to stop his daughter from marry-
ing outside their religion.
Two of my four children mar-
ried someone of another faith. Their
partners are perfect for them, and
they love each other very much. I
can only hope my other two chil-
GUHQ¿QGSHRSOHZKRORYHDQGFKHU-
ish them as much.
Religion isn’t everything. It’s
only part of who a person is. If they
want to have a relationship with
their daughter, they will have to
EH PRUH RSHQPLQGHG ² Happy
Mother-in-Law
Dear Happy: We agree. But we
also understand that many parents
react to this as though the child is re-
jecting not only their parents’ faith,
but also the parents themselves, and
it is painful for them. It takes time
for some parents to accept that peo-
ple of all religions (or lack thereof)
can be part of a loving family. We
hope both “Torn” and her husband
will do their best to remain close to
their daughter.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). In Hamlet,
Shakespeare suggested that nothing is
either good or bad, “but thinking makes it
so.” You’ll frame today’s events as neutral or
positive and this will considerably reduce
your stress level.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Remember
when you felt trapped? You freed yourself
only to wind up in a similarly restrictive sit-
uation. This time, seek reform from within.
When you feel inwardly free you’ll stop get-
ting into restricting situations.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The past and
present do not equal your life. Your dreams
for the future are a large part of your person-
ality these days. Share your vision and you’ll
learn who is really on your side.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve a
very real concern for injustice and stand
up for those who are not being treated fair-
ly. Just make sure you have the whole and
true story before you begin your defense.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You berate your-
self too much for errors that come with the
territory of being human. You’re doing your
very best. Mistakes are normal. Let it go at
that. Besides, perfection is boring.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It may seem
appealing to re-create the passion you once
had because you already know the territory.
Be honest, though: Has this cycle run its
course? Are you just resisting the end be-
cause you’re afraid of the unknown?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). While you’re
known for indecision, there are some de-
cisions you make practically automatically.
You know the answer with every fiber of
your being. “He who is fixed to a star does
not change his mind.” — Leonardo da Vinci
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). You’re once
again getting that feeling of being cosmical-
ly connected, like your parents are the Earth
and the sky, your cousins are the animals
and your journey is as effortless as an orbit.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Get
on your own side. You owe it to the rest of
the world to be confident and content in
whom you are. The one who is friends with
his or her own mind will have many friends
indeed.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It’s like
you’re pressing on the walls and book-
shelves searching for the hidden door to
the secret chamber where the mystery will
finally be solved. You will find no hidden door
because the hidden door is you.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll
test and re-test theories. You’ll poke to see
where the possible holes in the story are.
You want to believe, though you won’t be
able to until you’ve put the idea through your
judgmental paces.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Knowing
what you want to do for money and doing it
well — it’s not something to be taken lightly.
Many aren’t lucky enough to fall into such a
fantastic work groove as the one you’ll hit
today.
FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 11). An abid-
ing wisdom will guide your year. Lasting
love will be worth the sacrifice and effort;
your gentle tenacity will pay off. You will
have deep gratitude and reverence for the
gift you are offered in February whether
or not you can accept it. Money and fun in
March are the start of a new social chapter.
Taurus and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 5, 30, 17, 2 and 19.