DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, “Kirk,” and I have been dating exclusively for nearly two years and live together. We met during the pandemic, so for the first year or so, we mostly hung out -- just the two of us. Since the world has opened back up, I’ve been encountering some problems now that we’re able to socialize with others.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been in a “friend with benefits” relationship for more than a year now. I’m 57 and he’s 79.
By Arthur I. Cyr On August 3, the United States Senate overwhelmingly approved Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
DEAR ABBY: I come from a large, close family. The majority of them live in another state. A couple of family members live in the same state I reside in. One night, my uncle came over and we were hanging out having drinks. We both drank too much and at some point, he started to kiss my neck. I told him to stop because he is family, and he did. Luckily, nothing more happened. The next day he texted and called profusely apologizing. I have been hurt, sad and angry ever since. He wanted to talk about it, but I didn’t. We still see each other at family get-togethers since there are only a few of us out here. I haven’t told anyone, and it’s hard to keep this to myself, but I’m afraid that if I say something, it could cause a rift in my family. How do I get through this without hurting them? Should I confront him and tell him how this made me feel? Should I confide in a family member?
DEAR ABBY: A couple of weeks ago, my 17-yearold daughter broke up with “Matt,” her boyfriend of a year and seven months. My husband and I are sad because Matt had become a part of our family. We included him in vacations and holidays with us. We also became friends with his parents and shared a couple of holidays with them.
Several measures were approved in the spring 2022 legislative session to streamline the delivery of state services and to focus the mission of the Oklahoma Dept. of Public Safety (DPS).
Thoughts of Taiwan visit Dear editor, China and Taiwan are separated by the Taiwan Strait, a body of water 114 miles across and a tad over a mile deep. For 4-1/2 years China has had a ship-mounted ‘rail gun’ that can hurtle a 75 lb.
The Shawnee News-Star opinion page offers varied opinions on many topics. The viewpoints expressed in the columns, guest commentaries, letters to the editor and editorial cartoons are those of the authors and artists. “Our View” editorials are the opinion of the News-Star. Your opinion is welcome. Letters to the editor should be 400 words or less and include the author’s name and town of residence, along with a phone number for confirmation purposes. The phone number will not be published. All letters are subject to editing and unused letters will not be acknowledged. Printed letters to the editor are limited to three per month per person. Letters with topics connected to an upcoming election will not be considered within two weeks of that election.
DEAR ABBY: I graduated from college with a degree in a niche field. In my graduating class of nearly 7,000, there were only four of us with this specific degree. I now have a career in the field I majored in. I love what I do and take pride in it. The problem is my family. For whatever reason, my parents and siblings don’t seem to want to remember what I do. When people back home ask what I’m up to, they come up with vague or dismissive answers.
DEAR ABBY: I received a Facebook invitation to my 35th high school reunion. I was bullied constantly in every grade. I had no friends in my class, and the memories I have are not pleasant. I composed a letter expressing the hope that the attendees enjoy reminiscing, and then added that I have no desire to see any of them again. In the letter, I called out by name several former classmates with specifics on their bullying and cruel treatment. I told those who were the “nice kids” I felt invisible and like a nonentity. I ended the letter saying that I have a good life, and as an adult one would think the past would be the past. But that invitation triggered all the rejection and pain, which had lasted for years. I wrote that if any of them are parents, I hope they taught their kids and grandkids to do better.