Loss of job puts an end to affair with co-worker
Dear Abby: Back in 2013, a co-worker, “Jamie,” and I fell in love. Both of us were married to other people, but everything felt perfect. It was a feeling I never had for anyone in my life before. Three years later, I lost my job. The day I was terminated, my wife found out I had been cheating, so I ended the affair.
I have found full-time work and I’m still married, but I’m not in love with my wife like I am with Jamie. I have tried to stay in contact with her to prove to her that I’m a better man, with little success. She told me I was her only love, but I broke her heart.
She doesn’t want to see me, even after several years of my trying to prove that I am the man she fell in love with. Her husband doesn’t know anything. She’s afraid I may break it off again. Should I continue pursuing her or give up and move on? I thought I could handle it on my own, but I need some advice. — Missing Her in Ontario, Canada
Dear Missing Her: If you and Jamie really loved each other, you would no longer be married to your spouses. Having been dumped by you once, your former lover has a point. Give up and move on and you will save yourself, your wife, Jamie and her husband a lot of pain.
Dear Abby: I’m a pediatric RN at a large hospital. Sadly, I have seen too many young children die. I have learned to keep a professional distance, so that I can take care of the children and their families. I never give out my phone number, social media or email address, and I try not to let the parents ever see my struggle. But every once and a while, I can’t help caring beyond “professional.”
We just lost a beautiful little one who had spent a year and a half receiving care off and on in the hospital, and I’m heartbroken. The family has asked for nurses and doctors to attend the funeral, and I really want to. But how do I explain why I go to some funerals and not others? — Heartbroken Once Again
Dear Heartbroken: You don’t have to explain. I can’t imagine anyone actually counting the number of funerals/ memorials you attend and asking a question like that. However, if anyone should, say that you can’t attend them all because the loss of these little angels takes such a heavy toll on your heart. It’s the truth.
Dear Abby: My late wife passed away two years ago. We always had a dog in our house. He died a year ago. I now have a new lady love in my life, but she doesn’t want a pet in her house. I’m dying to have another dog, and I don’t know what to do. Please advise. — Petless in Texas
Dear Petless: Eligible widowers are a prized commodity. If your idea of happiness is having a house dog, find yourself a lady who loves animals as you do. It shouldn’t be difficult.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)