July 17, 2021 Issue, Page 5 of 8

Page Text

5 July 17, 2021 Activities Single woman fears she may never be a wife and mother be a nice, accomplished woman menopause, which is making Dear Abby with traditional values. Could everything more difficult. -- it be possible that you are so DEAR ABBY: I am a 31-year- focused on getting married SAD BEYOND WORDS old woman who has been in that you have chased away many relationships since high your suitors? From what you DEAR SAD: This isn’t a new school. No engagements, how- have written, you may have ever, although four of the men problem; it’s a very old one. put the cart before the horse. mentioned they wanted to Allow a relationship to play out Ask yourself what this person marry me. I lived with three of naturally before focusing on a has to offer you other than them. rush to the altar. I’m a former model, have more abuse. Warn your parent Although you yearn for mar- almost completed my second riage before maternity, it’s that you will no longer toler- master’s degree and hold a important you don’t forget ate being treated the way you steady government job. I don’t there may be other options. understand why I feel so de- have been, and the moment Marriage isn’t in the cards for pressed just because no one everyone. Some single women it starts, leave the premises has ever wanted to marry me. focus on their careers and/or or hang up the phone. Repeat I have wanted kids my entire adopt children who need lov- your message if/when it hap- life and thought I would have ing homes. You could be one of three before I was 30. Now I them if you expand your hori- pens again, and do not go back cry every day thinking how I zons. for more abuse. This is called may never be in a relationship drawing the line (better late with anyone who will love me DEAR ABBY: I am currently enough to marry me, or have struggling with a difficult par- than never) and protecting kids with me because marriage ent. Actually, I have struggled yourself. If apologies are of- never happened. with this relationship as far fered, fine. If not, you are free. I have a college fund set up back as I can remember. My for my “future” children and parent can be extremely hurt- have done everything in my ful and nasty at times, and Dear Abby is written by Abi- life to prepare to be a mom. I when it happens, I feel stripped gail Van Buren, also known paid off my student loans ear- naked. I become almost para- as Jeanne Phillips, and was ly, got a car that was perfect lyzed with pain and can barely for car seats and a dog that’s stomach being in the same founded by her mother, Pau- a good breed for kids. I just room with this person. Please line Phillips. Contact Dear don’t know where to turn next. help me find a way to handle Abby at www.DearAbby.com or -- YEARNS TO BE WIFE/MOM these episodes appropriately with some level of functional- P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Crossword DEAR YEARNS: You seem to ity. I’m in my 50s now and in CA 90069. Current puzzle answers Get Fuzzy Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield Dilbert