Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Zonked boyfriend seems content with status quo

- ABIGAIL VAN BUREN 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 P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or visit www.DearAbby.com

Dear Abby: I have been dating a man for more than two years, and I thought we had a future together. I’m 57, divorced, no kids. He’s 58, divorced and has two grown children. At first, he said he was living with his parents so he could take care of his dad, who was ill. But it has been more than three years now!

I put bids on four houses in his parents’ neighborho­od, but lost all of them. It seems the universe is not in favor of my owning a home closer to his family. Maybe it’s for the best. He smokes marijuana daily, and I’m sure it’s part (if not all) of the problem. His motivation for anything is low.

I’m often frustrated with his unreliabil­ity, lateness and lack of communicat­ion. I do enjoy being with him, and we get along great together. But nothing is changing. I want a future (and a home) with someone. Should I keep waiting and hoping, or move on and end it? I’m struggling with the decision. I have tried to break up with him, but we always wind up together. — Anxious In Arizona

Dear Anxious: I am struggling with whether to tell you what to do, or help you to make up your own mind and take responsibi­lity for your decision. Start by making a list of your goals. Next, list how many of them you have reached while you have been with this stoner. How many of your goals match his?

He may not be a bad person, but he appears to be comfortabl­e with living with his parents. I understand that you like hanging out with him, and if that is all you want from him, then it’s fine. However, if it isn’t, then tell him you need more than what he has to offer, and move on — and this time, make it stick.

Dear Abby: When our mom died, one of her siblings took selfies with her in the casket. They did it the whole time at the funeral. We were taught by our mom and grandma never to take photos of someone in their casket. Several family members were beyond shocked, as were we.

Is there a polite way to keep people from taking photos of the deceased? Should you make it clear that no cameras will be permitted, and that failure to comply will have you removed? And should the family have to deal with this, or is it something the funeral home should handle for the family? — Just Plain Morbid

Dear Just Plain Morbid: Not everyone deals with death the same way. Taking photos of the deceased in their casket is not unheard of, and may be customary in some cultures. (It may also be a useful tool for grieving.)

Although the idea of taking “selfies” at a funeral may seem over the top to you, your aunts or uncles should not have been prevented from doing so. If you want to ensure no pictures are taken in funerals for immediate family members, tell the funeral director before the event.

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