Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/735156
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Afteranabu- sive 25-year marriage, in which I worked two jobs to help support the chil- dren, I finally left after my husband threatened, at gunpoint, to kill me and our son. At th at time , our two girls were in college and the military, respectively. We went to a shelter and later moved in with fam- ily members out of state. Eventu- ally, my son, then 14, opted to return to his father's home. I lost contact with him for the next four years, due to his father's threats. I'll always regret al- lowing him to return to hell. I later discovered his father kicked him out. The girls survived on their own during the time I was getting my educa- tion. They started families and live successful lives. At 50, I graduated into a lucrative field and brought my 18-year-old son to live with me. While working, I sup- ported my son through several bad ventures. He eventually matured and is living with a good woman in a home he purchased. My three children live all over the country. They act very distant to me. One daughter accused me of not protecting her, and told me not to visit again. My other daughter is cold. My son says we can never be a family again. I am bewildered by their anger. I have tried to be supportive. Can my family ever be repaired? —SadMomma DEAR SAD » You have worked very hard to escape your abusive mar- riage and rebuild your life. But — all of your chil- dren spent the entirety of their childhoods in the household you describe as "hell." The fact that they are functioning should be considered a triumph. You have been fi- nancially generous, but money has no meaning when what they desire is the decent childhood they were denied. You don't mention being willing to talk with your children. You might feel that their abusive fa- ther is to blame, but they look at it this way: "We had two parents; why didn't you protect us?" Children who witness violence experience the effects of this trauma for the rest of their lives. It is not too late for you to reconcile, but you have to allow them to express their pain without reacting defensively. Professional counsel- ing would help all of you. DEAR AMY » "Cheap Child- care" was a 17-year-old complaining about being paid $8 to watch four older kids. She was paid mini- mum wage for a mini- mum wage job, plus she received a meal. The kids were not toddlers, so no diapers or bedtime stories. She was there to provide a responsible presence. Your advice added to the entitlement this genera- tion is steeped in. — Disgusted DEAR DISGUSTED » The marketplace should set the wage for a baby sitter, and if she is assertive enough to ask for more, her clients can decide if her efforts are worth it. Abuse survivor regrets the effects on her adult children 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 Libra(Sept.23-Oct.23)— Reuniting with old friends or colleagues will help you put your current position in perspective. Don't feel the need to compete with a braggart. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Home improvement projects will promote a better lifestyle and relationship with your loved ones. Doing the work required will also bring you satisfaction. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Certain emotions will surface and are best channeled into positive activities that will provide you with fun, laughter and good times. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Think twice before you commit to helping a person or a cause. If there is nothing in it for you, you need to back away. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You'll have a better grip on what's going on around you and a better idea how you can make things turn in your favor. Use insight to get what you want. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Listen to others' complaints, but don't venture to disagree or make a fuss. Once you digest what's being said or done, you will find an alternative solu- tion that works for everyone involved. Aries (March 21-April 19) — You need to get firsthand infor- mation and do the work yourself if you want to avoid interference and setbacks. Rewards will come your way when the job is complete. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Handle financial matters, contracts and discussions per- sonally. Joint ventures should not be trusted unless you have everything documented legally before you begin. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Participating in business events will give you a platform to present what you have to offer. Be precise and don't make promises that you cannot fulfill. Follow through on your plans. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Partnerships can be established and changes can be implement- ed to make your relationships run smoothly. An open heart and mind will bring good results. Make love a priority. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You'll thrive in situations that present you with a competi- tive challenge. Your drive and determination will push you to the top and help you bring about change. Business trips will prove fruitful. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Say what's on your mind before a personal situation gets blown out of proportion. Compromise will be necessary if you want to move forward. Horoscope By Eugenia Last WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B