FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015 | WEST HAWAII TODAY
4B
Dear Annie:
About
three years ago, I did
something very stupid. I
looked at a solar eclipse.
I thought it would last
only a minute and, not
wanting to miss it, I ran
outside and squinted at
it through my sunglasses.
I fully acknowledge that
I can only blame myself
for that. The next days
and weeks were some of
the scariest of my life.
My vision became blurry
and I had a hard time
focusing. I feared that
I might not recover my
sight and that my center
of vision might always
be skewed because I had
looked directly at the sun.
Thankfully, my vision
gradually recovered. But
one thing about this epi-
sode has left me deeply
troubled. When I thought
I would be permanently
blinded, I needed love
and support. However,
my mother quickly
became convinced that I
was faking it. She insisted
that none of it was real, it
was all in my head and I
was just imagining every-
thing. It was frustrating
and confusing. Why
would she deny that I was
having a medical prob-
lem? Why would she take
a position that could only
hurt our relationship?
Last week, during
an eye exam, the doc-
tor noticed a spot and
diagnosed me with a
textbook case of solar
maculopathy. I passed
this confirmation along to
my mother, but even now,
she won’t acknowledge
how wrong, and in some
ways cruel, her denial
and indifference were.
In my right eye, I have
a dark spot that follows
wherever I look. I’ve
grown used to it, but it
is a constant reminder
of this troubling episode.
Am I wrong to continue
feeling hurt? Or does this
reveal something about
our relationship and her
moral character? — S.
Dear S.:
Denial is a
very powerful emotion.
It allows someone like
your mother to refuse
to believe that you have
a serious problem and
what it could mean to
your future. She needed
comfort, too, and this
is where she found it.
Is Mom’s behavior
toward you otherwise
close and loving? If so,
we would put this in
the past. Continuing to
dwell on the hurt will
only make you bitter and
will alienate the two of
you, which we assume
is not what you want.
Dear Annie:
I’d
like to comment fur-
ther on the letter from
“Shepherdsville, Ky.,”
regarding poor grammar.
My pet peeves are those
who say “pitcher” for
“picture.” In Wisconsin,
numerous individuals say
“youse guys” instead of
“you guys” and “liberry”
for “library.” And last, but
not least, it irks me when
my husband and I are at a
restaurant and the server
asks, “What can I get for
you guys?” I am not a guy.
I am far from perfect,
and maybe a little picky,
but I find these things
very annoying. And
I, too, feel better now
after venting. — Miss
Picky in Wisconsin
Dear Wisconsin: You’re
welcome. We all deal
with small, trivial irri-
tations on a daily basis.
Some people are more
bothered by them than
others, so we’re happy
to help when you need
to let off a little steam.
Annie’s Mailbox
is written by Kathy
Mitchell and Marcy
Sugar, longtime editors
of the Ann Landers
column. Email questions
to anniesmailbox@
creators.com, or write
to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o
Creators Syndicate, 737
3rd St., Hermosa Beach,
CA 90254. Find Annie
at facebook.com/askan-
nies. To find out more
about Annie’s Mailbox
and read features by
other Creators Syndicate
writers and cartoonists,
visit creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2015 CREATORS.COM
ASTROLOGY
E u g e n i a L a s t
ANNIE’S MAILBOX |
ADVICE
Daughter temporarily loses vision, mother seems indifferent
Friday, August 7, 2015
CELEBRITIES BORN ON
THIS DAY:
Abbie Cornish,
33; Charlize Theron, 40; David
Duchovny, 55; Wayne Knight,
60.
Happy Birthday:
Good for-
tune will be yours if you are dil-
igent and push to get ahead pro-
fessionally. Your ability to learn
on the spot and to adapt to what-
ever changes occur around you
will help you remain in the game.
Personal changes that are geared
toward self-improvement are
encouraged and will help build
your confidence as well as your
reputation. Your numbers are 2,
10, 18, 25, 32, 36, 41.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Set up interviews or check out
online job postings. You’ll make
a good impression if you send
out your resume or discuss what
you have to offer based on your
past experiences. Romance and
making personal living changes
are encouraged. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Put your efforts into making your
home comfortable and welcom-
ing. Entertain friends, but don’t
go over budget. Get everyone to
pitch in and help. Your ability
to make someone feel at ease
will allow you to discuss sensitive
issues. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Ask questions if you feel some-
one is withholding information.
Your ability to get others to share
secrets will help you make deci-
sions that will influence your
future. Changes to your home or
where you live are encouraged.
3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Let your beliefs, talents and
skills speak for themselves. Show
everyone what you can do, but
don’t brag or exaggerate. The
proof is in the results you get.
Stand up and do your best. 4
stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Look at your job options. Don’t
limit yourself to a geographical
location. Sometimes moving to
where the action is professionally
is the best answer. Send out your
resume and prepare to negotiate.
A past partner will influence your
decision. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Keep your distance from anyone
who puts demands on you. Take
care of your own business first
before you take on something
that has absolutely no benefits
for you. Don’t let an emotional
matter lead to a mishap. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Offer to help others. Giving your
time and attention to a cause
may not please the people close
to you, but the satisfaction you
get will be worth your while. An
instant connection to someone
you encounter will influence your
future. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Don’t wait for others to make a
move. Emotional problems could
develop with your colleagues or
potential employers if you aren’t
careful. Back up and take a
moment to sort out your feelings
and consider how to best move
forward. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21): Run a checklist before you
vocalize your intentions. You
have to keep everything in its
place or someone will object or
criticize you. Put your feelings on
the table and extend an invitation
to share your life goals. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19): A proposal to get involved in
a joint venture won’t be as good
as you anticipate. Before you give
the go-ahead, rethink the out-
come and prepare for any pos-
sible problems that might arise.
Protect your money, possessions
and investments. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18): You’ll meet opposition if you
try to push your ideas on others.
Do your best to go it alone and
present what you have done only
after you are finished. The set-
backs you’ll encounter will not
be worth the aggravation. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
Time spent with an old friend or
visiting places you used to fre-
quent will bring back fond mem-
ories. Consider reviving an old
idea or starting a new partner-
ship with the potential to bring
in extra cash. Consider starting
a small, home-based business.
4 stars
Birthday Baby:
You are car-
ing, helpful and charismatic. You
offer innovative ideas.
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