THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2017
FEATURES
No compromising here
Dear Annie: My husband and I ever decision you end up making, a
are at an impasse. He wants to have loving, nurturing family is what you
a fourth child; I want to stick with both want. Keep that front of mind
three. We both have equally valid and you will have it.
reasoning for our cases, and we
Dear Annie: This is a plea for
acknowledge each other’s points. adults to see their parents as they are
Neither of us is budging. Whenever today and try to get beyond the past.
we have had disagreements
I am the mother of five
DEAR
in the past, we have found
children and have one son
ways to compromise and
who wants to have almost
ANNIE
come to an agreement that
nothing to do with me. He
has satisfied us both. How-
doesn’t allow me to spend
ever, with this particular dis-
time with my 1-year-old
granddaughter. He always
agreement, there is no com-
says they have somewhere
promise. Either we have a
to go or something to do,
fourth child or we do not. I
but I know they can’t be
am not writing to ask you to
Lane
going every moment of
pick a side. My question is Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
every day. They bought
this: How do my husband
a home literally a minute
and I come to a decision
about a matter that is so black-and- away from mine, which makes this
white and doesn’t have a gray area? even harder. It breaks my heart to
not be able to be a part of his and my
— Standoff in South Dakota
Dear Standoff in South granddaughter’s lives.
His father and I divorced when
Dakota: You and your husband
have built a foundation of under- the children were young. I admit
standing, love and willingness to we stayed together longer than we
compromise — a sturdy platform should and that wasn’t good for
onto which a counselor or spiritual anyone, especially the kids. I know
adviser could step and guide you the bad marriage and divorce hurt
through this conversation. Even if everyone, and half of that was me.
one of you were to bend and give in No one escapes those situations
to the other’s preference, there could without some scars. I have a won-
be lingering resentment, and talking derful relationship with my other
it out would help clear the air. What- children, and I haven’t stopped try-
ing with my son and pray he’ll give
me a chance one day.
For any readers out there who
harbor anger or have issues with
a parent: Please take the time to
look at your parents today and real-
ize they are human and make mis-
takes. Think about how much they
must love you to be hurt over and
over again but never give up. Talk
to them and tell them how you feel.
Parents can’t read minds, and you’d
be surprised how much they’d like
to talk to you. I’d rather have my
son yell and scream if that’s what it
would take to get it out so we could
work past this and have our family
whole again.
I learned this lesson later in life:
Forgiveness is such a great gift. It
frees you and brings peace to your
life. I hope your readers will try to
look at things differently and give
their parents a chance. — Never
Stop Loving Them
Dear Never Stop Loving
Them: Forgiveness is indeed a gift
we give ourselves. Though it’s hard,
I encourage you to keep allowing
your son the space he needs. Give
the problem over to God and let
prayer lessen the pain. I hope that in
time, he comes around and your lit-
tle granddaughter becomes a bigger
part of your life.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). People who
make you feel small while making them-
selves feel big are, of course, toxic for you to
be around. If you can’t stay away altogether,
at least minimize your exposure. Firm bound-
aries will be key.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Not every day,
but certainly today, it will be far more import-
ant to take care of the practical matters than
to concern yourself with the deeper or more
mystical layers of existence. You can ponder
and intuit after the storm has passed.
knowledge on a subject that interests you.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re in
a mood to bounce around ideas — your
favorite way to learn. While bandying about
intellectual and philosophical concepts, keep
in mind that not everyone likes to debate.
Choose your company carefully.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You are
who you are because of what you’ve expe-
rienced. It’s why you keep putting yourself
in the mix, taking risks and making efforts:
You’re brave. Courage is a lifestyle.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Good work is
good work, no matter how humble or her-
culean the task. There’s a victory rush that
comes from doing a job to the best of your
ability and knowing it’s not been done better.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you have
to turn it into a competition, make yourself
the opponent. The only nobility worth striving
for is the kind where you top your finest effort
thus far.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Between too
much and too little is the wonderfully cozy
waystation you’ll hang out in today. It’s made
even more enjoyable by friends who are
similarly satisfied.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). With so many
people looking for somewhere to pass the
blame, it’s important to note that blame never
solves anything. It gets better once someone
starts taking responsibility for it.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If it’s fun but doesn’t
make sense, consider it anyway. Even com-
puters have evolved to incorporate illogical
turns to serve the very human need for
surprises and fun. A touch of irrationality will
bring magic to your world.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Perhaps it
seems counterintuitive that you would be in
a position to teach what you don’t know, yet it
happens all of the time. The added pressure
of having to present information will make
you learn super-quickly.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Remember
when you felt helpless? If you could have
only known that help was on its way, how
much easier the moment would have
passed. Remember the lesson. Trust that
there are forces on your side.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 22).
Many small matters will be cleared up right
at the top of this solar return, and you’ll soon
realize that you wield a transformational
power. You will heal the ailing parts of your
life with your heart, not your head. Your
compassion and warmth will melt away
the obstacles blocking your progress and
happiness. Cancer and Libra adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 9, 44, 48, 20 and 18.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll be ener-
gized by a steady and deliberate learning
process. There is nothing more exciting to do
with this day than to move from ignorance to
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