Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/297066
DILBERT Scott Adams PEARLS BEFORE SWINE Stephan Pastis PICKLES Brian Crane BABY BLUES Jerry Scott & Rick Kirkman GET FUZZY Darby Conley ZITS Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman SHERMAN'S LAGOON Jim Toomey ARGYLE SWEATER Scott Hilburn BIZARRO Dan Piraro DEAR CAROLYN » Our 22-year-old daughter lives with her boyfriend, whom we don't really like, but are cordial when we get together. A friend of our daughter's recently con- tacted me to say she had received a "very frighten- ing" note from our "very depressed" daughter, then later backtracked and said there was nothing to worry about and our daughter would probably reach out to us when the time was right. Piecing together some other facts, I am fairly certain our daughter had an abortion last month. I suspect the friend reached out because she felt it was "above her paygrade" to help our daughter deal with her depression. Our daughter has been out of touch for three weeks, which is uncharacteristic, texting us only that she's been really busy. I'm not sure if I should call and ask if something's up, or wait for her to bring it up. She has every right to her privacy, but I am concerned this depression could spiral downward. What would you do? — Worried DEAR WORRIED » I'd wait till she was ready to tell me, but in the meantime call "just to say hi." I'd also put myself in her path, ever so gently, to make it easy for her to lean on me — maybe, trump up something to drop off at her apartment. Normally I wouldn't insinuate myself into an adult's life like that, but depression is an exception- al case. Someone needs to be willing to override — judiciously — the normal limits to get a good look. DEAR CAROLYN » Re: Worried: Call. Please call. You don't need to pry, but depression can make reaching out to people so impossibly hard. Just let her know there is a human being in this world who loves her and wants to talk to her. When you're depressed, one person's "didn't want to pry" can feel very much like "doesn't even care." — Anonymous DEAR ANONYMOUS » Thanks for this, and also for the nudge to answer more fully: Anyone in this parent's position would do well to read up on depression. Depression makes getting out of bed, making a phone call, going out for a run, etc., feel like an insur- mountable obstacle. Depression also lies. Depression will say, "No one will care if I stop call- ing," when in fact people care a lot. Knowing about depression will help loved ones not take person- ally the resistance s/he gets from the depressed person. It's important to know when it's the illness talking. It is a nasty, debilitating condition. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (http://nami.org) has good information, as does the National Institute of Mental Health (http:// www.nimh.nih.gov/ index.shtml). Parents worry about daughter showing signs of depression Carolyn Hax Ask Carolyn Email Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ carolyn.hax or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com. Sudoku Instructions: The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the number only once. Answer to Previous Puzzle Celebrity Cipher By Luis Campos Instructions: Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. NEA Crossword Aries (March 21-April 19) — Others will seek your help today. Take the time to listen to their problems, even if you can't provide a solution. Your support alone will build strong alliances. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — You will be able to perform at an amazing level today. Your value will be noticed if you mix work with pleasure. Take advantage of any social invitations. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Share your goals with your superiors. Be specific. If they don't know what you want, you won't get the opportunities to advance that you are looking for. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Children in your life will be quite observant today. The ap- proach you take will influence a project's outcome. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Enlist friends and family to help with home improvements. Renovations will turn out to be more expensive than anticipat- ed, but you will be pleased with the results. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Someone from your past will make an unexpected return. Don't let stressful situations eat away at your health. Relax, even if a personal encounter is less than perfect. Take care. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You can't buy love. Your budget will suffer if you purchase expensive gifts. Concentrate on earning money rather than spending it unwisely, and offer support, not cash, to others. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Refrain from bringing work problems home with you. Let traffic delays, work issues, or other minor irritations slide. Your health and family relation- ships are more important. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don't deceive yourself. Make commitments for the right reasons. Don't sign on for some- thing that you don't believe in just to follow the crowd or gain acceptance. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You'll make an impression with your public speaking skills. An offer of a leadership position is likely to come your way. You will be successful if you make a move that sets an example. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Be sure to keep your thoughts to yourself at work. Wait for a more favorable time to make any requests of your superiors — right now, just stick to doing your work quietly and well. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Be open to new situations. Joining a social group will intro- duce you to new and interesting people. Have some fun, let loose and enjoy life. Work shouldn't be your only outlet. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol THURSDAY, APRIL 17 Thursday, april 17, 2014 rEdBluFFdailyNEWs.COM | YOUR DAILY BREAK | 5 B