DEAR ABBY: I’m responding to your request for comments about the letter from “Happily Single” and whether a divorce would be the first course of action upon winning the lottery. In a community-property state, a divorce AFTER winning wouldn’t legally protect you from having to share the spoils with your soon-to-be (and probably now bitter) ex-spouse.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter-in-law is expecting in July. However, she thinks she should celebrate Mother’s Day now. I am a bit old-fashioned; I do not recall celebrating Mother’s Day if you are only pregnant.
The future is in God’s hands, it reminds us, and someday all God’s enemies will be defeated and Jesus Christ will rule forever as king of kings and lord of lords.
DEAR ABBY: My granddaughter and her boyfriend live in another state, and I love hearing from her. However, when I call her, she always puts me on speakerphone, which I find rude.
Don’t be concerned about this, because in church you’re surrounded by people who love you and genuinely want to help you — even if you don’t yet know them.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 13-year-old girl who has been trying to give my father a second chance. I was taken away from my parents when I was 8 because they were on drugs. I haven’t seen my father for three years, but now that he’s living with my grandparents and me, I decided to give him a second chance.
The faiths of the world often they contradict each other, and none presents a sure way to know God.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A cousin has come home from a long foreign trip, taken in part to fill a spiritual hole in her life. She has asked us to come to her home to hear excerpts from her trip journal and to see photos she took.
Someday in heaven an understanding of evil and why God allowed it to exist will be given us — but not yet.
DEAR ABBY: I’m 29 and for 10 years I have been struggling with controlling parents. They have cut two of my sisters out of their lives because they live closer to their spouses’ parents.
DEAR ABBY: Last year, I began to lose my hearing due to a genetic disorder and now I have to wear hearing aids. I will be a freshman in high school next year. My teachers all have to wear microphones so I can hear them.
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: I really don’t have a lot of respect for most politicians, so why should I pray for them? I’m not sure it does any good anyway to pray for a better world, because things just seem to be getting worse, no matter how much people pray. — J.N.
DEAR ABBY: My oldest son came out to me as a gay man in a private conversation. I have no problem with him being gay; however, I do have a problem with the fact that he has asked me not to tell anyone. He isn’t ready to come out to anyone else. I tried to advise him that until he is true to himself, he won’t be happy. My son says if he comes out to anyone else, it would “hurt so many people.”
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I go out with people who feel that it is acceptable to ask for more bread with the express purpose of taking that bread home, not to enjoy it at the meal. Am I wrong to think that this is improper?
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: I’m kind of a technology geek, and when I walked through our local electronics store the other day, I suddenly realized that most of the products weren’t even around 20 years ago. Do you think technology could be the key to solving the world’s problems? — R.K.
DEAR ABBY: I am frustrated and angry over a situation that should be fun and happy. My husband, “Rick,” and I are planning a trip with our two children next month. We will visit family while we are there, but they don’t have room for us to stay in their home.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a gentleman in my 20s and work in a very large office building. I am absolutely smitten (!) by a most angelic young lady who also works in the building. We cross paths in the lobby at least weekly and exchange repeated glances and smiles.
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: My friend says she’s spiritual but not religious. What do you suppose she means? She turned me down when I asked her to go to church with me, and said she didn’t believe in organized religion. —N.C.
DEAR ABBY: I work in a small office with two former heavy smokers who have now transitioned to vapor/e-cigarettes. My concern is that they “smoke” their e-cigarettes in the office constantly, and I don’t know what chemicals I am now breathing secondhand.
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: How big a sin do you have to commit before you lose your salvation? I really believe in Jesus and have given my life to him, but I’m still afraid I might do something that will make him turn against me. — K.G.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 13-year-old girl and my parents won’t let me date. I believe I am mature for my age and won’t do anything foolish. I don’t know why my parents are being like this. Please give me some advice on how to persuade them. — Really Ready in New Hampshire
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Did Jesus have a sense of humor? I seem to have been born with one, but sometimes I wonder if I’m wrong to express it since Jesus didn’t try to make people laugh, at least as far as I can tell. — M.M.
DEAR ABBY: “Jake” and I have been married more than 20 years. I married before I was 18, and I’m not even 40 yet. Jake is seven years my senior. We have had our ups and downs, and although the last five years have been fine, I want more out of life than sitting home watching TV or hanging out with him.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is my obligation to provide a selection of beverages at a dinner party? I was brought up to think that a glass of water should be provided at each place. My husband thinks that we are supposed to provide a choice of other options such as iced tea or juice.
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: I didn’t take my daughters to church when they were young. Now they’re all living immoral lives and just laugh when I say anything about it. Is God punishing me? — D.L.
