May 29, 2021 Issue, Page 5 of 8

Page Text

May 29, 2021 Activities 5 Sisters react differently in lontime rift with mom Dear Abby DEAR MISSING NORMAL: Dad, I never did. Now, because I have no adoptive relations There may be a lot more wrong left in my life, I’m consider- DEAR ABBY: Seventeen years with your sister than a case ing changing my name back ago, when my sister “Elise” and of hard feelings. As you stat- to Reilly, but I’m ambivalent I were 19 and 25, our mother ed, seventeen years ago it about it. I want to reengage kicked us both out. I have long was normal for 25-year-old with my birthright, yet remain since forgiven her, and I have women to leave their parents’ respectful to the Johnsons, a happy relationship with her. home and live independently who lovingly raised me as their Elise, on the other hand, has or with a contemporary. If, at own. My heart has two halves, never let it go. I don’t under- age 41, Elise is as isolated and and I don’t know which to nur- stand why, because she’s the uncommunicative as you de- ture. -- CONFUSED IN THE older of us, and 25 was a nor- scribe, she may need the help EAST mal age to leave the nest. of a psychotherapist to get Elise refuses to see our moth- back on track. Of course, this DEAR CONFUSED: The line, er unless someone drives out would entail her admitting she “What’s in a name? A rose by to pick her up, so every holi- has a problem and a desire to any other name would smell day and birthday my stepfa- do something about it. Unless as sweet,” is a classic in En- ther picks her up and drives that happens, there’s nothing glish literature. In a situation her round trip. Even when you or your parents can do to like yours, however, it may not my sister is there, she speaks “help” her. hold true. You honored your to no one, not even me. Mom adoptive parents and your and I talk and beg her to join DEAR ABBY: I am a 63-year- brother every day of their lives. us, while Elise sits off to the old man, born “Thomas J. Reil- If you feel changing your name side and refuses to join in. I ly.” I was legally adopted at 14, would make your heart whole, have planned girls’ trips for although I had lived with my then follow through with what the three of us with the same adoptive parents since I was 6 you need to do. result. months old and was given their I long for a relationship with surname, “Johnson.” My wife Dear Abby is written by Ab- Elise, but not a one-sided one. of 42 years recently passed. My igail Van Buren, also known I feel bad for Mom and for her, adoptive parents died several as Jeanne Phillips, and was because I’m sure Elise is lone- years ago, and my brother, who founded by her mother, Pau- ly. I feel like a horrible person was also adopted by the John- line Phillips. Contact Dear when I say I have a sister but sons, has been gone two years. Abby at www.DearAbby.com or we are not close. Do you think My mother always wanted me P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, there’s any hope? -- MISSING to search for my birth family, CA 90069. NORMAL IN MICHIGAN but out of respect for her and Crossword Current puzzle answers Get Fuzzy Garfield Dilbert Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine