
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Many years ago, I was the victim of a violent assault that my then-11-year-old daughter witnessed.

Our dear mother recently passed away after an extended illness.

Recently, my oldest and dearest friend (since kindergarten) talked about renting a house in Puerto Rico for her family and mine.

I am a divorced mother of two teenagers.

My husband, who is 81 has just suggested that when we feel we can no longer live independent lives (I am 72), we should move closer to his daughter in another state so she and her husband can help us.

I took a DNA test seven months ago.

My husband was forced into sex at the age of 12 by an older female.

I got pregnant at 15 and had my oldest daughter at 16.

Two years ago, at a national conference, I bumped into a woman I had dated decades ago.

When my sibling and I were 6 and 10, our parents sat us down and told us they were getting a divorce because Dad had an affair.