Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/796887
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»I'maproud mother to my gay son who lives across the coun- try. We love him uncondi- tionally. My son married his partner, "John." They have been together for several years. Recently, my son came to his father and me with shocking news that my family is still reeling from. John is a trans man who has had "top sur- gery," and is actually three months pregnant. John is going to keep living as a man, even during the pregnancy, which they told us was planned. We've met John many times, have spent holidays with him, and neither he nor my son had given any indication that John was born a woman. When we told our other children, my daughter, who has three young children, decided she would no longer have contact with them. She did not want to con- fuse her kids, and was worried about the unborn baby's future. My other son said he was "disgusted" by the situation, and won't have contact. My husband and I feel hurt, misled, and are confused, but really want to focus on getting everyone to move past this and to accept them. No one will participate in any sort of therapy, and I worry that the family will never recover. How can I bring every- one together? —ConcernedMother DEAR CONCERNED » In researching your ques- tion, I have read several stories about transgender males who have success- fully given birth. This issue seems at the van- guard of the new gender and family structures we are all encountering, and I assume this will become more common in the future. Regarding your own family, you have no option but to let your other adult children make choices concerning their relationship with their brother, his husband and their child. I agree that it would have been a kindness for them to be brave enough to give you a heads up concerning John being a trans male. (However, given the reaction of your son's siblings, I can see why they didn't.) You should tell both of them how you feel about their choice to keep this information from you. Then you should turn your attention toward the baby. This baby is coming into your family in a highly unusual way, but ba bies ar riv e in families in all sorts of ways, and of course you will love and cherish this child as you do your other grandchildren. That's the best you can do, and it's all you need to do. You can't make this situation right for everyone else, and so you should make it right for you and the child. Transgender man's upcoming pregnancy upsets the family You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Pisces(Feb.20-March 20) — Once you set a goal, it's a matter of putting your plan in motion. Your vision will be spot- on, and your ability to follow through unprecedented. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Attend a function that is geared toward education and you will discover a way to expand your expertise and diversify options. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Focus on what you can get done without the help of oth- ers. Physical labor or exercise will ease your stress and help you put emotional matters in perspective. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Beautify your surroundings and pay more attention to the way you present yourself. A trendy new look will lift your spirits. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Question what others ask of you. Don't feel sorry for some- one trying to take advantage of you. Stay focused on your responsibilities and doing the best you can. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Taking a trip, signing up for a course or spending time with someone you love is favored. Making a physical change will boost your confidence and result in compliments. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You can spin things in your favor if you offer practical solutions to financial, legal or medical issues that develop when dealing with a partner, institutions or govern- ment agencies. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Form an alliance with someone who supports your ideas, solu- tions and efforts. A romantic encounter will tempt you. Don't make an impulsive decision that could affect your plans. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Check out your options, but don't walk away from one situa- tion until you have a secure hold on where you are heading next. Impulse will lead to uncertainty. Follow your intuition. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Display your skills, exper- tise and physical ability to get things done. Your excellent work ethic will promote advance- ment. Be prepared to counterat- tack a jealous competitor trying to undermine you. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You'll be tempted to follow someone else's lead. Before you jump in, consider what's being offered and what's expected of you in return. If uncertainty prevails, don't get involved. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Take time to pamper yourself or update your appearance. Nur- ture an important relationship by sharing your plans and feel- ings. Romance is encouraged. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, MARCH 9 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 2 B