6A
FEATURES
Parents apply the pressure
Dear Annie: My parents to do anymore. Any advice
don’t care about whether I’m you could give me on how to
happy; they only care about talk to them about this would
whether I’m successful. That be appreciated. — Not Good
basically says it all. They always Enough
Dear Not: I’m proud of you
complain about my grades and
compare me with the other kids, for taking the time to write and
ask for help. What-
talking about how jeal-
DEAR
ever you do, do not hurt
ous they are that the other
yourself. Please dis-
parents have honor-roll
ANNIE
cuss the thoughts you’re
kids they can brag about.
having with your par-
And even though my
ents, a guidance coun-
grades have been mostly
selor or the Suicide Pre-
bad, I do occasionally do
vention Lifeline (which
well, but they have very
offers totally confiden-
rarely told me that they
tial support). If you ever
are proud of me — espe-
Lane
feel as if you’re a seri-
cially my dad. I don’t Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
ous danger to yourself,
think I have ever heard
dial 911.
him say the word proud
Your parents seem to have
in any context.
And that’s not just true with their priorities out of order, but
respect to my classes. I’m also that doesn’t mean you’re not
in the school band, on the foot- good enough or that they don’t
ball team and a Boy Scout, and love you. I’m sure that they really
they refuse to acknowledge my believe the pressure they’re pil-
accomplishments in any field. I ing on is ultimately in your best
understand that as a sophomore interest and will motivate you to
in high school, I need to pre- do better. Their idea of success
pare for my future, but it’s as may always be different from
if that’s all they care about, and yours, but there are ways (espe-
they don’t care at all about how cially once you’re older and
I feel. I’ve started to have fre- out of the house) you can make
quent suicidal thoughts because peace with that. Life is much big-
of it. I just don’t know what ger than it looks right now.
Dear Annie: After read-
ing the letter from “Broken-
hearted Mom” — who followed
her adult child to a new city,
only to be left out in the cold
and dumped on — I was heart-
broken for her. This woman’s
children should be ashamed of
themselves!
You only get one mom, and
when she’s gone, that kind of
unconditional love will be gone,
as well. You just can’t replace
her. If she lives anywhere near
me, I would be delighted to
come over on a weekend and
put together her furniture. I can
just hear my mom saying it’s
just the right thing to do. I lost
her six years ago. My mother
never met a stranger. If this
woman is nearby, I would really
be willing to help her. I live in
Louisville, Kentucky. — Miss-
ing Mom
Dear Missing: Thank you
for your sweet and concerned
letter. Unfortunately, I don’t
think “Brokenhearted Mom” is
anywhere near Louisville, but
I’ve passed your note along so
she knows that others are think-
ing of her. Please keep sharing
your generous heart with the
world.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s a risk
you’ve been considering for some time. This
is the breakthrough you’ve been waiting
for. You’ll recognize a pattern and use the
discovery to make a timely play.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a time for
glitz, glamour and show and a time for slipping
under the radar and observing your advantage
from that low position. Underplay your next
move. Humility is not only a virtue; it’s a tactic.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There is a
difference between acting out of a desire to
do what’s right and acting out of fear of the
repercussions that will happen when you do
what’s wrong. The former builds energy. The
latter drains it.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve a talent
for carefully organizing the chaos. It’s amaz-
ing! You’ll accidentally impress someone with
your ability to stay calm and bring clarity to
the picture.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You don’t have to actu-
ally be brave to do brave things. It’s more about
acting as a brave person would, and then
making a habit of that. Follow through time and
again. Before you know it, you’re the real deal.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re an excel-
lent steward of your resources. Of course,
the temptations are few now, but this will
change. Take stock of the way you’re manag-
ing and lay down some rules you can abide
by for continued success.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re ahead of
your time in some way. Table the idea, and
then get back in step with the others. When
there’s an opportunity to use this, you’ll be
ready to jump. For now it’s better to stay in
sync.
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). What would
you do if you knew that the best is yet to
come? Would you stop worrying and hedg-
ing your bets? Would you let go of some-
thing substandard in your life? All indications
point to... the best really is yet to come!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Act on
a whim. There’s no guarantee it will turn
out as hoped, but even if it doesn’t it will be
a lot more interesting than if you stuck to
the “normal” way. The people around need
spontaneity just like you do.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ve a
pressing desire to live differently. There’s no
better time to start. Do it today; repeat it to-
morrow and the next day and the next. What
you do daily will get easier until it’s automatic
and just part of how you are.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Look for
the small improvements. They can make a
big difference. Be proud of the little steps;
they’ll add up. The person who makes slow
progress makes progress indeed.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When you love
what’s happening, you’ll be enthusiastic on
the inside, cool on the outside. When you
don’t love what’s happening (but you know
that they do), it’s just the opposite.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (April 27).
You’ve a checklist of things you want to
accomplish this year. You’ll hit a few, miss a
few and stumble into bits of life that make
you deeper and more exceptional than any
list-worthy qualification ever could. The plac-
es you seek in August will inspire a lifestyle
change. New friendships lead to work in
October. Cancer and Gemini adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 46, 38, 11, 20 and 26.