Dear Abby: My 22-year-old daughter became pregnant from a guy she had dated only a few months, but never seriously. After weeks of wondering what she was going to do, she decided that terminating her pregnancy was the best thing to do considering she has limited income and still lives with me.
I, however, am anti-abortion, although I do feel that in cases of rape or incest it is acceptable. My daughter knows how I feel about this. I supported her in her decision, but did not agree with it.
Abby, I have taken this really hard. I have cried every day since she had the abortion, and I'm torturing myself thinking it is my fault because I went against everything I believe in when I supported her in her decision.
Why am I beating myself up about this? Is it because she's my daughter, because I am anti-abortion or both? How can I stop blaming myself?
Tortured in the South
Dear Tortured: The decision about whether or not to terminate the pregnancy wasn't yours to make; it was your daughter's.
Being anti-abortion, you have your own convictions, but you acted as a loving parent should — you supported your child.
If you feel you could benefit from counseling to help you through this, ask your doctor for a referral.
Dear Abby: A close friend and co-worker insists that it's not against the law to read books while driving. Is it true that this is legal?
Concerned in Ohio
Dear Concerned: Of course not! A distracted driver who is reading books is at least as dangerous as one who is eating, texting, applying makeup, shaving or talking on a cellphone. This "highly respected" teacher doesn't have my respect; he's a menace on the highway.
Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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