DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 50 years. I am 70, my husband is 73. We have eight grandchildren and are active in our church and community. Everyone thinks our marriage is a happy one. However, they are mistaken.
My husband has had seven affairs that I know of in the last 40 years. Each affair lasted from six months to seven years. His current affair is now in its sixth year.
Abby, his mistress calls me and lets me know every time they meet. She tells me to leave him so they can be together. You can't imagine the pain of hearing a young woman say: "Old goat! We are in love. Leave him so he can have a life with me." I am devastated, but I fear loneliness. I don't know where to turn. Please tell me what to do. -- LOST IN CHICAGO
P.S. I wrote you in 1984 about the same problem. You gave me two choices: Leave him or tolerate his behavior, because he wouldn't change. You were right. He did not change. You said personally you would have chosen the first option. I'm sorry I didn't follow your advice then.
DEAR LOST: I, too, am sorry that you didn't follow my advice. It would have saved you 17 years of pain and humiliation.
I hope you'll take my advice this time. Some things are worse than loneliness, and in my opinion, living with a chronic cheater is one of them. Make an appointment with a lawyer -- and this time, follow through.