6A FEATURES TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE Taking advantage of mom Dear Annie: I am a middle Abuse’s website (https://ncea.acl. child, with an elder sister and gov). On weekdays, you can also a younger brother. We are all use the Eldercare Locator by call- within 10 years of one another. ing 800-677-1116. Dear Annie: Years ago, Ann We are a very dysfunctional fam- ily. We come from a broken and Landers printed a poem for par- estranged family. Our parents ents who have lost children. She said it was one of divorced when I was DEAR the items that readers about 13 years old. My requested most. I clipped brother does not speak ANNIE it and made copies, and to my father. My sib- lings have both borrowed over the years, I have a lot of money from my given it to several peo- ple who have lost chil- mother. I do not think it dren. It is very comfort- is very fair. Please let me ing at the parents’ time know what you would of grief. I lost my copy recommend I do, if any- Lane thing. I’m very worried Annie of the poem, and I’m Creators Syndicate Inc. about Mom’s being taken wondering whether you advantage of. — Con- might consider printing cerned Middle Child it. — Charles S. Dear Concerned Middle Dear Charles S.: The touch- Child: If you suspect that your ing poem to which you’re refer- siblings are exploiting your mom, ring is called “A Child of Mine.” contact Adult Protective Services. It was written by Edgar A. Guest. Financial elder abuse is a seri- I’m happy to print it now, and I ous problem, affecting millions hope it will offer some comfort to of seniors each year. And sadly, anyone who needs it. as reported by AARP, in 90 per- I’ll lend you for a little time, a cent of cases, the perpetrator is a child of mine, He said. family member, friend, neighbor For you to love while he lives, or someone else the victim knows and mourn when he is dead. well. For a state-by-state list of It may be six or seven years, or resources and more information, twenty-two or three. visit the National Center on Elder But will you, till I call him THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018 By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. back, take care of him for me? He’ll bring his charms to glad- den you, and shall his stay be brief, You’ll have his lovely memo- ries as solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn. I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again? I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord, Thy will be done. For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter him with ten- derness, we’ll love him while we may; And for the happiness we’ve known, will ever grateful stay. But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand. ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are many benefits to losing an old grudge. For starters, by letting go of this you will liberate brain space for more relevant information, such as remembering where you put your keys. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It will be import- ant to know the other person’s motivation, or to at least make a guess at it. Do you think the other person is trying to impress, love, secure or control you? Your next move should be made thoughtfully. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When it feels as though you need a guide, a method, or a shortcut, but no teacher or secret knowledge seems to be coming forth, it’s a sign from the universe that you already have the answers. Just go do the thing. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You may look confident to those who don’t know any better, but inside you are secretly wondering if you bit off more than you could chew with this recent deal. Don’t worry; you’re not going to choke. Just chew longer. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve a talent for organizing people. Your calm friendliness will put all at ease. With you at the helm, the whole team will relax and get to know one another, finding interesting new ways to cooperate. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). In the name of harmony and tact, you’ll only say about 10 percent of what you would like to say on some subjects and then turn the conversa- tion to something innocuous you can speak more freely about. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Whether you feel more comfortable giving or receiving, today it’s essential to do both. It will take you play- 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 ing both roles to get the relationship balanced out. Bonus points for letting others know how they can make you happy. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re a master of diplomacy, and it’s not even hard for you. It springs from your genuine and deep respect of others. You’ll meet and come to understand many different kinds of people. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Love is a mystery. Maybe it’s a little scary because it requires that you let go of control. You want to monitor and manipulate what happens, but then it wouldn’t be love. Embrace uncertainty. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Who takes care of you best? Sometimes that’s you, but right now you feel that you can’t — that there’s too much else you need to tend to. Nonsense. Take a step back. Ask for help. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). For the most part, children are not in control of where they live and how their days are structured. But adults, at least in theory, should be. If it’s not working for you, change it. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It is OK not to know the nature of a relationship. Maybe it is yet to be determined. Anyway, keep an open mind. It is better to be uncertain than to be certain of something false. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (July 27). There’s a “world” to be conquered, and you have real guts this year. While the next three months involve building familiar bonds and joyous events with your loved ones, there will be a shift a the top of 2019 and a chance to spend some time where no one knows you. Seize the opportunity to be whoever you want to be. Gemini and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 3, 32, 18 and 44.