6A FEATURES Ostracized big brother Dear Annie: I am 13 to let me see him. My dad years old, and I live in Ken- said Greg is a danger to me tucky. I have a problem with and is a disgusting person. my parents that I can’t fix. Greg has always been noth- I have an older brother, ing but a great older brother “Greg,” whom I love and to me. Since he moved out look up to as a role three years ago, I DEAR model. He is 24 years have had a bunch old and my favorite of sleepovers at his ANNIE person in the world. apartment. Neither Six months ago, he he nor Harry has ever came out as gay to my done anything in parents and me. He front of me that even told us he has been in made me think they a secret relationship are a couple. with “Harry,” his best Annie, I love my Lane friend since he was Annie brother so much and Creators Syndicate Inc. 15 years old. They miss him. He is so have been sharing an cool and the best per- apartment for three years. son I know. I don’t care that My parents went ballistic he is gay. Dad said that it is his job and disowned him. They said he was no longer welcome in to keep me safe and that if our home. I got really upset I want to see Greg, I will and biked over to his apart- have to wait till I am 18. My ment a few times to see him. brother tried to talk to my When my parents found out, parents about this, and they they banned me from see- slammed the door in his face. ing him or talking to him in I tried to talk to my school any way. They threatened to counselor, but she said I must accuse him of kidnapping if accept my parents’ decisions because they only have my he ever sees me again. I got into a big argument best interest in mind. Please with them and begged them help find a way to change their minds. — Missing My Brother Dear Missing: I am so sorry you’ve been sepa- rated from your big brother. I know your heart is hurt- ing. I would encourage your brother to speak to a lawyer about options to protect him against kidnapping charges, should that arise in the future. I’d also suggest you call the LGBT National Youth Talkline (800-246-7743), which provides factual infor- mation and resources for cit- ies and towns across the country. Dear Annie: Thank you so much for publishing the letter from John, the retired Marine. It was so uplifting and spot on. Many thanks for your wonderful column. Your advice is always so pertinent to the situation. — Cindy in Louisville Dear Cindy: Thank you for writing. I received a great deal of positive feed- back regarding John’s letter. I’m printing your response so John might see that he’s made someone smile. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can. Some- where along the line you got a totally different message, and that message was a lie, based on assumptions and partial information. You can. And furthermore, you will. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Everything you get to call your own in this world comes with maintenance, including friendship. For those less socially inclined, friendship maintenance takes effort, but for you it’s as it should be — just plain fun. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Keep track. Then later, when you slip into one of those “what am I doing, what have I accomplished, have I wasted my life” type of moods, you’ll have plenty of reminders. CANCER (June 22-July 22). All the improve- ment starts in your mind. Thinking better is doing better. New research will help you to harness the latent power of your brain to deliver higher levels of achievement. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Many of our broad- based opinions and feelings are inherited from the culture we know best. But if that inheritance is causing stress or even anguish, lose it. A belief’s popularity has nothing to do with its rightness. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Universally, flying is commonly thought of as a peaceful experience. Pictures of the Earth from space bring fascina- tion and calm. Serenity flows naturally from a heightened perception. Spiritually, rise up and look down. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). “You have to dive down, as it were,” the great Bohemian novelist Franz Kafka wrote in his diary. “And sink more rapidly than that which sinks in advance of you.” 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). Defend what you’re doing. Maybe this is just about keeping the distractions and interruptions at bay, or maybe your process and product will come into question. Anyway, while going to bat for yourself you’ll learn something. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Boy, will your brain be busy today, assaulted with way too many facts, plenty of jibber-jabber, a dash of rumor and a pinch or two of speculation. The peace of this afternoon will come as a big relief. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Though you must see this project through, and it’s definitely worth sticking with for all the learning, fun and profits it will yield, don’t think for a minute that this is it for you. The best work is the work you haven’t thought of yet. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There are cir- cumstances, your opinion of them and a thread of tension suspended in between to carry your emotional reaction. To change your emotion, tweak either the circumstances or your opinion. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ve a sense that some of the ride has been kept from you, and you’re now eager for the full experience. You want to know what’s behind not just some of the doors but all of them. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 24). A personal win right at the top of this solar return will be a game-changer. You’ve been working toward this a long time, but that didn’t prepare you for the decisions you’ll have to make. Worthy mentors will help you through. Seek those with qualities of kindness and compassion as well as worldly success. Taurus and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 28, 3, 46 and 12.