Annie’s Mailbox: Distant husband refuses counseling

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for more than 20 years. He is a very good-looking man. His co-workers are mostly women. Yes, I am jealous.

When we married, he was loving, caring and gave me lots of attention. My whole life changed due to health problems. Now, I barely get a kiss as he leaves for work. Even though my health has improved, he stopped sleeping in our bedroom.

Also, he told me the company arranged for him and a female employee to have a meeting once a week in his office. This bothered me because she called his cell phone in the evening. I confronted him. He accused me of being jealous.

What should I do? He refuses to go for counseling or see a pastor. – Going Mad

Dear Going Mad: Even if your husband refuses counseling, you should go anyway. It sounds as if your marriage has been in trouble for a while. Please talk to someone who can help you find better ways to deal with your situation.

Dear Annie: I am 18 years old. I recently got a small tattoo.

I live at home and have not yet told my father about it. He has double standards when it comes to my brother and me. My brother is three years older and has a large tattoo. But I know Dad will be angry about mine, even though he was perfectly fine with my brother getting one, and he has one himself.

How do I tell him? He won’t see it if I don’t show it to him. – Tatted

Dear Tatted: Did you pay for the tattoo yourself? If so, Dad does not have to know about it. You are, after all, a legal adult. However, it is usually best to bite the bullet and get it over with. Dad may respond more positively than you think, and if not, his anger won’t last forever.

Annie’s Snippet for St. Patrick’s Day (author unknown): For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way, good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.