Dear Abby: I'm a fiercely independent and headstrong woman. I have recently begun dating my childhood sweetheart, "Jess," again after 20 years. Jess is traditional and would prefer I surrender my independence and allow him to take the "man's" role. We are trying to compromise, but now another issue has come up. ...more

February 8, 2009

Sometimes you don't know when you are lucky. Certainly I did not consider myself lucky when I left home at 17 and discovered the hard way that there was no great demand for a black teenage dropout with no experience and no skill. ...more

September 24, 2008

It was 1938 when Auntie Ruth bought us tickets to the circus and I discovered my young heart's desire. Auntie Ruth was my mother's best friend and took us many special places. The country was in the midst of the Depression, but she had her own car. Her husband finished college before the hard times began and had a good job as an engineer. ...more

June 1, 2008

The photographer was waiting for the bride and groom when the ground began shaking. Then they were enveloped in dust thrown up by the mighty earthquake, and the photographer kept shooting, documenting a remarkable wedding day. ...more

May 25, 2008