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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamasingle mother of a 17-year-old son in his last year of high school. He is an only child. I gave birth to him in my senior year of high school. I never got married and never brought men into our lives. I went through a really significant rough patch for about three years during his young teen- age life. I have bounced back and life is pretty great now. He and I were so close before the tough times started and now that things are good again he seems so with- drawn from me. I try so hard and I love him more than anything in this world. He will be headed to college soon and it's causing me so much anxiety. I don't know how to get him to connect with me prior to graduat- ing and beginning his young life away from home. My heart is aching, and I think about it all the time. I try to make special plans with him, but he never wants to do anything with me. He's so great and incredibly humble. I am so proud of him and just want to be close again. Do you have any suggestions? —MotherinTears DEAR MOTHER » Here's my advice: Abide with him. Be patient with him. Love him in the ways you have always loved him and work hard — not to win him over but to let him leave you. It is a universal fact that even in "intact," low- drama and highly func- tional families, children push their parents away before leaving home. Sons are especially good at this detachment (though I've personally dealt with it with daughters). Although your last year in high school was much different from your son's, perhaps you remember a version of this with your own pare nts. Unless you suspect his withdrawing from you is due to some special problem, like depression or drug-taking, do not beg him for connection. This will create pressure for him. Do your best to sup- port his efforts to com- plete his senior year and encourage him regarding his future. Your extreme feelings have a diagnosis: Empty Nest Syndrome. A profes- sional counselor could help you navigate through this challenging phase of your (and your son's) life. Also, read "Letting Go (Fifth Edition): A Parents' Guide to Understand- ing the College Years" by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger (2009, Harper Perennial). DEAR AMY » I enjoyed your recent "Best Of" columns. I'm so curious about how things turn out for the people. Do they ever follow up? — Curious DEAR CURIOUS » I am extremely curious and would like to encourage any person who has had a letter published in my column to contact me again to let us all know how things turned out. Single mom struggles with her soon-to-be empty nest You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.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-March20) — A chance to use your talents strategically will also result in an upswing in your earning abil- ity. Reawaken an old friendship with someone. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Don't get anxious when you can get moving and be productive. Once you get started, everything will fall into place. Romance is on the rise. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Be innovative, but don't go over your budget or ignore rules. The help you offer others must be carefully monitored so that you are not taken advantage of. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Your common sense must be maintained, regardless of what others do. Be honest about what you want and set guidelines. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Keep the peace, offer assistance and take care of your responsibilities. Once you com- plete what's expected of you, make sure you enjoy downtime with someone you love hanging out with. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You can make gains if you pre- pare diligently and present your case with finesse. A change of scenery will encourage an en- counter with someone offering a host of valuable information. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Express your feelings openly and ask questions that will help you understand what others want to see unfold. Your practical at- titude will attract someone who can be beneficial to you. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Check out an investment that can help your financial situation. Cutting overhead expenses will give you greater long-term free- dom to enjoy life to its fullest. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Onlookers will admire you for your innovative way of doing things in a cost-efficient and convenient manner. You'll be considered a trendsetter amongst your peers. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don't run from situations that make you uncomfortable. Matters will escalate if you don't address a problem. Clear the air so that you can enjoy the benefits of eliminating stress. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Keep your thoughts to your- self until you are sure you have an audience that will under- stand what you are trying to say and do. Arguing with stubborn people will be a waste of time. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — A past experience will help you make a decision and move forward. Your disciplined at- titude will encourage you to be your best. Love will promote a closer bond with someone. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, MARCH 10 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B