DEAR ABBY: I'm responding to the letter from "Teen-Age Aunt in Illinois," who felt guilty about reporting that she saw her sister's boyfriend hit her.
Seven years ago, 19 days before my eighth birthday, my sister was murdered by her boyfriend. Then he committed suicide. My sister loved him very much, but he didn't love her. They had two children.
He hit me only twice, but every time he hit my sister I would grab my niece and nephew and hide with them under the table. Once I almost called 911, but he left. I was afraid of him, but my sister made me promise not to tell anyone -- and I didn't.
I'm now 14, and we adopted my niece and nephew. I love them dearly, but I miss my older sister very much.
If only I had told my father what was going on, I might have saved my sister's life. I recently told my father what happened -- seven years too late. I regret that I didn't tell, and I'll regret it for the rest of my life.
"Teen-Age Aunt" -- if you love your sister and your niece, please tell someone! -- REGRETFUL TEEN IN GEORGIA
DEAR REGRETFUL TEEN: Thank you for a powerful letter. You will never know how many lives you may have saved today by writing it.
Now, please accept some unsolicited advice: You were a small child when this tragedy occurred. You were doing what your sister asked you to do, and at the age of 7, you couldn't have been expected to be independent enough in your judgment to have done otherwise. If you cannot let go of your feelings of guilt, talking them out with a professional counselor would be helpful. As much as one might wish it, no one can change the past. We can only change the future.