Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/768249
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myfam- ily refuses to forgive my boyfriend for hitting me seven years ago. After this incident we went our separate ways, but after a lot of work we slowly came back together. My boyfriend and I have now been together for three years. He worked hard to make changes and prove him- self to me, but my fam- ily refuses to budge. We live a happy life on our own and work hard on our relationship, but when family events occur, I am dragged back to that awful place I was in seven years ago. My family excludes him from events. They are not willing to take any steps to move forward. They don't understand when I try to explain that by punishing him through exclusion, they are drag- ging me back and keeping me in the role of victim. I am 53 years old and the oldest of three sisters. Everyone came together while I was going through open heart surgery, but as soon as I was back on my feet, my family went back to judgment. My boyfriend supports me in whatever I decide, but I am tired of feeling like I have to leave myself outside the door when I attend family events with- out him. I miss my nieces and nephews, but my sisters do not want them associating with me. How can I get this stalemate to end? —NoVictim DEAR NO VICTIM » You probably can't get this stalemate to end. Your guy, however, should certainly try. You don't mention that he has made any effort at all to bridge this gap with your family, which he created. You make a profound point — that when your family continues to ban- ish and punish him, you are thrust back into the role of being a victim. However, you need to understand what a terrifying experience it is to have a loved one ensconced in a violent and abusive relationship. It is traumatic for family members to be pulled through this knothole. Of- ten there is a long period of escalating abuse before the final act — if that was the case with you and your guy, your family members would have had many reasons to despise his role in your life. If he is back in your life as a partner to you and if he truly wants to be supportive of you, then he should be brave enough to apologize for causing you and your family so much pain. He should ask for forgiveness. DEAR AMY » I agree with "Disgusted," who took you to task for saying parents shouldn't spank their children. Spanking works, and you are an idiot not to realize it. I assume you don't have children, otherwise you would know that your so-called "advice" flies out the window when you're dealing with a bad kid. — Also Disgusted DEAR ALSO » I have five children, all now adults. Spanking doesn't work. If it did, the people who always advocate for it wouldn't be so angry. Family won't forgive abusive boyfriend even after years 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 Capricorn(Dec.22-Jan.19) — Listen to advice carefully before you make a move. Prob- lems will arise if you share inti- mate information with someone untrustworthy. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — If you let someone persuade you to get involved in something that isn't to your benefit, you'll end up having regrets. Say no. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Lend a helping hand and you will be rewarded for your con- tribution. Your unique ideas will put you in a good position when new opportunities arise. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Getting together with peers will require diplomacy on your part. The less said and spent, the better. Overindulgence will lead to rumors and gossip. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Keep your emotions in check. Too much of anything will be to your detriment. Make your health a priority and rest and rejuvenate so that you will be able to enjoy year-end festivities. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Good fortune will come your way if you are honest about what you want. Start the year off on the right foot by letting go of emotional baggage. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Being money-smart will keep you stress-free. If you use your imagination, you'll discover new ways to cut costs and save for future projects or travel. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't go overboard, especially if you are with clients, peers or your boss. Your actions will in- fluence the way others perceive you. Moderation and diplomacy are encouraged. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Take care of your respon- sibilities quickly so that you can move on to things you find more enjoyable. Get together with friends or share something special with your partner. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Problems at home will lead to unexpected alterations to the way you move forward. If you concentrate on your health and emotional well-being, you will gain stability. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — The changes you bring about at home will inspire you to elaborate on an idea you've always wanted to pursue. Suc- cess is in the stars if you follow through with your plans. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Show a little discipline and present what you have to offer and want to accomplish with confidence. Romance and commitment will bring you happiness. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, DEC. 30 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016 6 B