Mom uncomfortable with daughter’s love

DEAR ABBY: My daughter recently informed me that she has met someone and the someone happens to be a woman. My reaction was, of course, shock and anger, although I have kind of suspected over the years that she is a lesbian.

She is 43 and was married for 10 years. She has two children and has been divorced for about 11 years. She dated a few guys, but either had no luck with them or it didn’t last.

I don’t know how to handle this because I’m against people being gay. I see it as unnatural and think they all have issues. I don’t treat gay people any different from anyone else, but I do keep them at a distance. Now I don’t know how to proceed with our relationship. Please help. SHOCKED AND ANGRY MOM

DEAR S. AND A.: I’ll try. While you may be angry, because you have long suspected that your daughter might be a lesbian you cannot now claim to be shocked. One reason gay people have “issues,” as you put it, is because they have to endure opposition and nonacceptance from the family members they love. Your 43-year-old daughter has spent years not being who she really is — possibly to please you — and now has realized she must be her authentic self.

If you want any relationship at all with her, apologize and tell her you overreacted. Tell her you love her and explain that you may need time to fully accept this. Wish her well and hope she forgives you.

DEAR ABBY: I’m a man in my mid-60s. Recently, I had to put my elderly cat, “Taffy,” to sleep. I loved her. When the vet asked if I would like some of her ashes, I didn’t want to take them home. Instead, I filled a jelly jar with her fur. (She had long hair and I had, for a year, been stuffing the fur I removed from her brush every night into a shoebox.) As a memorial to my beloved Taffy, I added some of her favorite kibble to the hair jar, and it now sits on her favorite window sill. You be the judge cute or creepy? CAT FANCIER IN FLORIDA

DEAR CAT FANCIER: It is neither. It is the way you have chosen to cope with a painful loss, and you shouldn’t be judged — or judge yourself — harshly for it. My condolences for your loss.

DEAR ABBY: I was convicted of a crime and did three years on a six-year sentence. My daughter was 2 when I was incarcerated. I was released last year and am currently on parole.

I tried contacting my ex-wife about seeing our daughter and being a part of her life, but I only made things worse. Now she’s trying to hide my girl from me. I’m trying my best, but she refuses to put me on child support. What do I do? TROUBLED FATHER

DEAR TROUBLED: You may have to take your ex-wife to court. If you’re able to afford it, seek advice from an attorney about your options.