DEAR ABBY: I am a 25-year-old woman. My parents divorced when I was young. I kept in contact with my father until he dropped out of my life when I was around 11.
I came across Dad again on Facebook recently. He's now in a domestic partnership with another man. It wasn't a shock because Mom had told me some time ago she had suspected he was gay.
What upset me were several posts he made about wanting a happy family with his partner. I know the family he made with Mom may not have been his ideal, but my sister and I are his family. I feel like we were tossed aside for this idea of a new family, which seems cold and callous. I haven't mentioned it to my sister because I think she'd find it upsetting.
I want to confront Dad, but also think it might be best to just leave it alone. Any advice? -- UNCOUNTED IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR UNCOUNTED: I think you should contact your father, start a dialogue with him and ask why he dropped out of your life. His reason may be that he was made to feel that his presence in your life was unwelcome, or a fear that you would not be able to accept his sexual orientation.
It seems strange to me that he would leave his daughters behind for no reason. If you would like to re-establish a relationship, tell him so. He may need to hear it from you before he can move forward and reconnect with you and your sister.