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Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999. Dear Ann Landers: My husband and I have a home on the lake where we go on weekends and vacations with our two children, their spouses and our four young grandchildren. The problem is a 12-year-old girl who lives across the street. This child is …Read more. Classic Ann Landers, November 15 Dear Ann Landers: Every time I see a letter in your column from someone questioning the remarriage of a widow or widower, I want to write. This time, an actual letter goes in the mail. My wonderful husband passed away 10 years ago. He lost his …Read more. Classic Ann Landers, November 8 Dear Ann Landers: Three months ago, our 18-year-old daughter "Ramona" had her tongue pierced. My wife and I had warned Ramona that if she pierced her tongue, she would lose her rights to the family car. She apparently didn't care, because …Read more. Classic Ann Landers, October 25 Dear Ann Landers: I have written this letter to you in my head at least a thousand times, and now I have decided to put it on paper and mail it. I want you to know that you saved my life. My father had been sexually abusing me for a long time. It …Read more.
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Classic Ann Landers, November 1

Dear Ann Landers: I am 60 and have just been diagnosed with cancer. My problem is my daughter, "Ingrid." She lives in another state and has my only four grandchildren. I went through a nasty divorce a few years back and spent 10 long years alone. Three years ago, a former sweetheart came back into my life. I left the city where Ingrid lived and married the wonderful man. We are very happy.

My daughter did not want me to move away and became extremely hostile when I did. One thing led to another, and we have not seen each other for two years. It was not all my fault, nor was it all hers. We both messed up. When I traveled to her city to visit, hoping to make amends, Ingrid would not let me see my grandchildren. She claimed I was an unfit grandmother because I "abandoned" her and her children. I don't understand how it is possible to abandon a 30-year-old woman with a husband and children. The visit was a disaster. When I returned home, I wrote to Ingrid, begging her to put her anger aside so we could be a family again. She said she could not forgive me for moving away.

When I called last month to tell Ingrid I had been diagnosed with cancer, she said my illness didn't change how she felt, even though she was sorry about it. She talked as if I were a passing acquaintance. This just about broke my heart.

Now I will have surgery without seeing my grandchildren. Like any cancer patient, I am scared of surgery and want to see my daughter before I enter the hospital.

How can I persuade Ingrid to forgive and forget and let us be a family again? Time may be shorter than we think. No matter how much she has hurt me, I am willing to let bygones be bygones, but she is not. Can you help? — Corpus Christi, Texas

Dear Texas: For the moment, focus on getting through your surgery, and do not allow Ingrid's behavior to drag you down. Turn to your husband and friends for affection and warmth, and be grateful for their support. Time may soften Ingrid's bitter and selfish outlook. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that all will turn out well. Please know you are in my prayers.

Dear Ann Landers: My 50-year-old sweetie and I are going on a long-awaited trip to Hawaii. The problem? He has invited his ex-wife, his grown son, his brother and a friend to join us. My sweetie wants me to bunk with his ex-wife to save money. This is hardly the romantic vacation I envisioned.

Tell me, Ann, am I nuts, or is he? The plane leaves in two months. Please tell me what to do. I am — Aghast in New York

Dear Aghast: If you agree to this, YOU are nuts. Tell him "no deal," and stick to it. P.S. I suggest you let them have their trip to Hawaii and go to the Bahamas instead. It's closer and less "crowded."

Forget to save some of your favorite Ann Landers columns? "Nuggets and Doozies" is the answer. Send a self-addressed, long, business-sized envelope and a check or money order for $5.25 (this includes postage and handling) to: Nuggets, c/o Ann Landers, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

ANN LANDERS (R)

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM


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