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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»Iwasadopted within my family when I was a little girl. My grandparents on my father's side forced my father's sister to adopt me. She raised me, and though we were never close when I was a kid, in recent years, we've developed a better relationship. I am stuck trying to make my aunt/ "mom" and grandmoth- er happy. Every time I need to make a major decision and it's not what they envision for me, they guilt-trip me, mention- ing how they saved me from the life I could've had. I was divorced a few years ago and was a single mom, and not once did I ask for finan- cial help from them. However, when I cannot afford an extravagant gift for them, I never hear the end of it. According to my grandmother, how much I spend shows how much respect I have for them. I've been dating a wonderful man for the last two years and we're ready to be married. I've tried to ask for my fam- ily's blessing, but they do not like him because he's not the same ethnicity as I am. They also think he's cheap. To me money is not the most important thing, and this man treats me and my son the way we should be treated. This has caused a huge rift between me and my family. I am so hurt. Now they are forcing me to choose between pursuing a new life or them. How can I move on with my life, knowing that I am rejecting the family that saved me? —TornBetweenFamily and Love DEAR TORN » Repeat after me: I do not owe my family unending gratitude. I can understand why you feel obligated to your family for giving you so much, but good parents don't ask to be paid back for the task of raising you, they expect good children — which you are — to pay that kindness forward by raising good children themselves — which you are doing. You do not owe your family for your upbring- ing, and for them to constantly remind you that they rescued you so long ago is unkind and manipulative. You have done your job and grown up into a compassionate, self- sufficient person. You have found a person who loves and appreciates you. Start planning for the wonderful life you and your husband will build together for your son. You may have to carry on in that life with- out your family, at least for a time. DEAR READERS » Some- times people who dispense advice run out of answers. If you've ever been curious about the life behind my advice, read my new book, "Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Coming Home" (2017, Hachette). Adopted daughter is under constant gratitude pressure 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 Aries(March21-April19)— Show passion in all that you do, but be clear about your deci- sions before you make a move. Impulse will be the culprit that will set you back. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Anger won't solve anything, but taking positive action will. Rely on your instincts, but act based on common sense, not on assumptions. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Evaluate how you feel and what you can do to eliminate any doubt you are experiencing. Personal improvements can and should be made. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Put greater emphasis on your- self and bringing about positive changes that will make you feel good about your appearance. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't jeopardize your health or physical well-being. Incorporate lifestyle changes that encour- age long-term improvements. A simpler life will help you avert additional stress and personal aggravation. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Problems will arise if you have neglected to take care of im- portant domestic matters. Look over papers or agreements that may influence your personal financial security. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Be honest about what is and isn't possible. Be careful not to deplete your resources and watch out for things that could harm your ability to reach goals. Don't miss an opportunity. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Take a hard look at difficult situations. Sharing your true feelings will help you find out where you stand and discover the best way to move forward. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You'll be disillusioned by the information someone shares with you. Excessive behavior will lead to a problem that will affect your personal life. Protect against physical limitations. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Make personal changes that will improve your outlook and your relationship with a loved one. A passionate approach to the way you live life will initiate romance. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Concentrate on your appear- ance and how you present your- self. Fine-tune your attributes and make personal changes that will offset your faults. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Taking a short trip or spend- ing quality time with a loved one will bring you closer to the life you want to live. A positive attitude will lead to romance. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, APRIL 14 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2017 6 B