Dear Abby Family research exposes old murder charges

DEARABBY » While researching my family, I discovered that my nowelderly mother was charged with the murder of a toddler 40 years ago, before I was born. Shewas never convicted and never mentioned it. However, after reading her testimony and things she’s said after the incident, I have no doubt she is guilty.

This has me reeling because she has always been a great and loving mother. When she heard I was researching our family, she mentioned that I would find something unsavory and asked me to please not look into it because it’s in the past and she didn’t want it to tarnish my image of her. I don’t knowhow to feel or what to do.

DEARSHOCKED

» If your mother was charged with murder, either the charges were dropped or she was found innocent by a jury. You wrote that your motherwas a great and loving mother. For that you should feel grateful because not all children are so fortunate as you were. I think it’s time for you to take the opportunity to get her side of the story.

DEARABBY » My sweet, introverted son has just started high school. He has confided that he is terrified that he will be bullied and won’t know how to respond. He askedme if there was a phrase that repels bullies.

DEARWORRIEDMOM »

While I know of no onesize-fits-all phrase that will repel a bully, I do think that enrolling your son in martial arts classes would give him a sense of confidence that he is lacking now. You should also encourage him to get involved with special interest groups at his new school.