THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2018
FEATURES
My mother’s other family
Dear Annie: My mother had a
My mom was Shelly’s “best
workplace affair back in the 1960s friend.” Shelly always manipu-
that lasted for approximately 10 lated my mother over the years,
years. My dad knew about it, but holding this affair over her head.
God rest his soul, he remained (She demanded a DNA test when
with my mom and our family she was a teenager.) Now I feel
she is manipulating her
until he died. The affair
DEAR
“new family” and really
resulted in the fourth
wants to become a part of
child in our family, with
ANNIE
that family. I feel that my
a 10-year gap between me
two elder sisters and I are
and the new sister. Need-
less to say, my childhood
being left in the dust. My
had a lot of chaos — yell-
eldest sister is livid and
ing, threats, sarcasm —
won’t even discuss it. It
which I worked through
is all surreal. One of the
with a 12-step program. I
new sisters indicated she
Lane
want to be clear, though, Annie
would write an email to
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
that even with that tur-
all the others after their
moil happening, my mom
mom dies and share this
and dad were actually very loving “news.”
parents to us.
Shelly emailed me the other
Here’s my concern. The baby day and told me that she had con-
sister, “Shelly,” has not only us nected with one of her dad’s half
three elder sisters but also nine sisters, who is 84. Shelly said
other siblings from her biologi- she has been really sweet and is
cal father. We have all remained including her on the family tree. I
somewhat in touch with them didn’t respond.
through social media, but espe-
Advice on how to handle all
cially Shelly has. Three of those this would be appreciated. The
siblings are aware of Shelly and turmoil is only in its beginning
know that their dad was a woman- stages, I feel, because that email
izer. Their mom is still alive, and could cause a lot more — Not the
they claim she has no clue about Baby Anymore
Shelly.
Dear Not the Baby Any-
more: Shelly’s inclusion on
another family tree doesn’t mean
you have to prune her off yours,
just as her growing closer with
other half siblings doesn’t mean
she’s growing apart from you.
Let Shelly and her other siblings
work things out among them-
selves. And there’s no need to fear
impending “turmoil.” Focus on
yourself and discover the serenity
of detaching with love, because
once you’re truly grounded in
your own life, others’ turmoil
can’t shake you.
Dear Annie: My letter is in
response to “Workplace Drama.”
I had my right breast removed in
2009 because of cancer. Why in
the world didn’t the woman get
a rebuild? Congress passed leg-
islation allowing a woman who
loses her breasts because of can-
cer is entitled to have a rebuild.
If this woman had a reason not to
rebuild, she at least should have
been fitted for a prosthesis. I wore
one for a number of months before
I could have my breast rebuilt. I
am surprised that her doctor or
surgeon did not inform her of her
options. — Florida Survivor
Dear Survivor: Thanks for
sharing your story.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). What good is
knowing better unless you also do better? The
trouble is, you can’t be sure. You have to take
a risk in order to find out. Pursue the promising
fix; act on your hunch.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Though you can’t
make another person see what they don’t see,
you can point out what you see, and those
who have the capacity at that moment will
have a good chance of sharing in your vision.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The beginning of
a project is light in the actual work that must be
done, but it’s heavy in the amount of change
that must be tolerated. This is about adjusting,
settling in and figuring out your commitment
level.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You often tend
to define yourself through a role, which is
essentially defining yourself through a set of
responsibilities. Just don’t forget that you’re the
one who takes it on. If it’s thrust on you, and
you don’t want it, throw it back.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Regarding your proj-
ect: You don’t have to make up the route. The
explorers before you did a pretty good job, and
you can refer to their notes to save yourself
needless trouble, or, if possible, take one with
you on the journey.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Like duct tape
engineering, something you solve today may
involve an inelegant fix, but if it works, it works.
Don’t look back. You’re resourceful, and it’s
something you should be proud of.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Brain scans can
tell us which part of the brain is firing off
neurons, but they can’t show us the thoughts
and visions that light up the ultimate privacy
of the mind. Your private thoughts will be most
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
amusing today!
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Share your
ideas. They are what make you fascinating and
maybe even irresistible to someone. Tonight,
there will be interesting and yet inappropriate
choices available to you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). All kinds of
feelings get entwined in the excitement mount-
ing around a project. Some of them will die
down when the project stabilizes and becomes
a working entity. Some won’t. Romance may
be a part of this.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you were
chosen for the job, you can safely assume
that you are the best person for it. Don’t worry
about anything but giving this your very best
shot.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Whatever
is going on now, more of the same is to be
expected today. You can see the potential in
others. It’s something to nurture and believe
in, but potential is not something to date or do
business with.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s a lot you
are capable of doing, but the thing you really
want to do is taking a back seat. Just because
you can fit yourself into a situation doesn’t
mean you belong there.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (June 27). You
say, “Yes!” and the excitement commences.
You’ll become part of an inspiring group. In
August, answering hard questions will make
life easier. You’ll streamline your personal busi-
ness in order to be flexible and spontaneous.
You’ll cut out nonessentials once you figure out
what is really essential. Cancer and Capricorn
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 30, 21,
35 and 18.