POLICE MEMORIAL

Scranton police officer dies from injuries suffered in line of duty

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Mele’s Musings: Unfriended and blocked by the fruit of my own loins

<p><strong>Dear Annie:</strong> I work full-time, am married and try to make time for my family. Twenty years ago, I had a breakdown and was hospitalized for attempted suicide. I was put on medication and saw therapists once a week. I returned to school and finished my degree in counseling.</p><p>That&#8217;s the background. Now the problem: I retired at age 58 due to a severe injury and am on disability. I do as much as my injury allows, but it isn&#8217;t enough for my wife. We&#8217;ve been married for 43 years, and all she does is belittle me. Her sarcasm scalds. It feels as though she&#8217;s driving me to another breakdown.</p><p>I do household errands every day. While on one of these errands, I met a younger woman (she&#8217;s 45) and we hit it off right away. I run into her a few times a month and we talk a lot, nothing more. We meet for a morning coffee or breakfast. This lady makes me feel wanted. I really don&#8217;t know which way to go. Do I just see this woman when I can, or what? &#8212; Lost in the Real World</p><p><strong>Dear Lost:</strong> We realize that this other woman makes you feel good (don&#8217;t they all?), but you also are justifying the attraction by claiming that your wife belittles you constantly. You say you have a degree in counseling. Surely you know that you and your wife could benefit from professional help to see whether your relationship can be improved. If you believe you are on the verge of a breakdown, seek therapy on your own. And if you want out of your marriage, then have the courage to face that first. Please don&#8217;t cheapen your marriage or your relationship with this other woman by cheating on your wife.</p><p><strong> Dear Annie:</strong> I&#8217;ve always assumed that the appropriate dress for a viewing or visitation prior to a funeral was at least a dress shirt and tie for a man, if he could afford those, or a shirt with a collar if he couldn&#8217;t. Am I out of date? Are there different conventions or traditions for viewings at which an honor guard in dress uniform is present? &#8212; Gary</p><p><strong>Dear Gary:</strong> It is no longer required that people wear black to a viewing, visitation or funeral, although overly bright, cheery colors are also not appropriate. Your dress should show respect to the mourners, and this applies to everyone, including children. For men, it often means a suit and tie. For women, it usually means black, navy, brown, gray or other conservative colors. Military funerals where there is an honor guard are more formal. In most instances, people in attendance are required to stand for a lengthy period of time, so keep that in mind when selecting shoes (please don&#8217;t wear sneakers) and deciding whether or not to bring young children. Members of the armed forces are expected to wear their service dress uniforms. Of course, at any funeral, if you do not have appropriate conservative clothing, it doesn&#8217;t mean you shouldn&#8217;t show up. Just do the best you can. People appreciate your presence, regardless of your attire.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Annie&#8217;s Mailbox</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Marcy Sugar, Kathy Mitchell</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Annie&#8217;s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to <a href="mailto:anniesmailbox@creators.com" target="_blank">anniesmailbox@creators.com</a>, or write to: Annie&#8217;s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. To find out more about Annie&#8217;s Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at <a href="http://www.creators.com/" target="_blank">www.creators.com</a>.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Annie’s Mailbox: Mental and marriage breakdowns